London: The penalty shootout between England and Sweden at Euro 2025 will go down as one of the most dramatic in football history. Of the 14 spot-kicks taken, only five were scored, with six saved and three missed for a conversion rate of just 35.7%.
According to BBC, this unusual outcome is not an isolated incident. At Euro 2025, penalties have been far from a guaranteed source of goals, with a tournament success rate of 58.5%. This raises the question of why scoring penalties has become more challenging at major women’s tournaments. The BBC delved into statistics, consulted players and managers, and engaged experts to uncover the reasons.
The growing interest in women’s football has led to greater expectations, especially in England following their Euro 2022 victory. A staggering 7.4 million people tuned in to watch England’s 2025 quarter-final against Sweden on BBC One, reflecting the sport’s increasing media coverage over the past three years. With Women’s Super League matches now held in larger stadiums and many Lionesses becoming household names, the heightened attention may contribute to missed penalties.
Geir Jordet, a professor of football and psychology at the Norwegian School of Sports Science, noted that penalty takers are susceptible to pressure. While most research focuses on men, increased pressure typically results in decreased performance. The explosion of interest in women’s football over the past five years may impact players’ ability to handle pressure, especially since Premier League players regularly perform in front of massive audiences, a relatively new experience for many female players.
The financial growth accompanying the increased interest in women’s football also facilitates more research and coaching. Players often practice specific penalty styles, but advanced scouting and data analysis allow opponents to predict their moves more accurately. Sweden goalkeeper Jennifer Falk demonstrated this by using a list of England’s penalty takers and their styles on her water bottle, resulting in four successful saves during the shootout.
Despite the pressure and advanced scouting, some still view penalties as a lottery where practice cannot guarantee success. Sweden manager Peter Gerhardsson emphasized the personal responsibility of players to practice penalties, acknowledging the difficulty in preparing for such moments. However, England’s approach under captain Leah Williamson involves extensive preparation for penalties, a strategy that has contributed to their success.
The evolution of goalkeeping in women’s football plays a significant role in the increasing difficulty of scoring penalties. With greater professionalization, goalkeepers have become more adept at reading opponents and making crucial saves. As the standard of goalkeeping continues to rise, so too does the challenge for penalty takers.
Ultimately, while luck remains an element in penalty shootouts, the increasing sophistication of women’s football, both in terms of pressure management and technical skills, suggests a future where penalty-taking techniques will continue to evolve and improve, reflecting changes seen in men’s football.