101 Most Memorable World Cup Moments: England kicked off with a penalty

Pa Doug McIntyre
Posted by FOX Sports Soccer

Editor’s note: Every day from now until the start of the first match World Cup 2022 On November 20, we will open another memory from the history of the World Cup. The countdown from 101 continues with England’s disastrous penalty shootout against West Germany.

England the futility of penalty shootouts — the Three Lions have lost their first three tiebreakers at the World Cup and are 1-3 on penalties at the European Championship — is a hot topic these days.

But back in 1990, England fans had every reason to believe that their team would push past their old nemesis in the West Germany and into the World Cup final for the first time since winning the whole thing 24 years ago. Bobby Robson’s side were the better side for most of the game despite falling behind on the hour mark, so when Gary Lineker equalized in the 80th minute to send the game into extra time, the momentum was on the English side.

Stuart Pearce and Chris Waddle then failed to convert from 12 yards and the Germans won the World Cup for the third time. Apparently, it was a crushing psychological blow; The Lions’ shootout woes would repeat themselves over and over again over the years. England finally won their first World Cup match on penalties in almost three decades, although they Colombia by quarter in 2018.

One of North America’s leading soccer journalists, Doug McIntyre has covered the United States men’s and women’s national teams at numerous FIFA World Cups. Before joining FOX Sports in 2021, he was a staff writer for ESPN and Yahoo Sports. Follow him on Twitter @Written by Doug McIntyre.