WOMEN'S WORLD CUP 2023
How many times has the Women’s World Cup final been decided in a penalty kick shoot-out?
With many predicting a close encounter between Spain and England on Sunday, could it go the distance and end in the ultimate drama?
It’s almost time. After joint hosts Australia and New Zealand got the competition off and running on 20 July, we now have just two nations in contention for the 2023 Women’s World Cup. The players of Spain and England go head-to-head on Sunday knowing that victory will put their names into the annuls of history, neither country having previously lifted the global crown since the tournament began in 1991.
The quality on show has been exceptional at times, with the continued evolution of the women’s game capturing more hearts and eyeballs (a survey estimated that 17.15 million people tuned in for England’s semi-final against Australia, the biggest television event in history) than ever. And now anticipation is rising as we await two of the pre-tournament favourites clashing at the Australia Stadium, and given the caliber in both teams it’s more than possible that nothing separates them across 120 minutes, meaning we’ll find ourselves in a penalty shoot-out for glory.
Check out the teams
How many penalty shoot-outs in Women’s World Cup final?
Beginning in 1991, we have now reached our ninth Women’s World Cup. In that time the winners have been, in chronological order, USA, Norway, USA, Germany, Germany, Japan, USA, USA.
The 1999 final saw the USWNT collect it’s second crown by defeating China 5-4 from the spot after a 0-0 draw in normal time. Brandi Chastain’s iconic celebration after scoring the winning penalty kick in the final is still one of the most memorable moments in Women’s World Cup history.
The only other time that spot kicks have determined the winner was in 2011, when the US were on the wrong side of the 3-1 outcome on penalties after a thrilling 2-2 draw with Japan. That was the tournament where Homare Sawa rose to the occasion.
How many penalty shoot-outs in 2023 Women’s World Cup?
In total we have seen three penalty shootouts decide the game in this year’s competition. The most recent of these came in the quarter final between Australia and France, the hosts emerging victorious 7-6 that had the nation in rapture. The round of 16 games of England-Nigeria and Sweden-USA also ended in penalties.
Will the Spain vs England showdown go the distance? You can find out by following the action live with AS USA.