It always comes down to penalties with England at major tournaments.The heartbreak, the glory and the nerves. Get ready, buckle yourself in and brace yourself because you just know it will happen at some point.England and shoot-outs. It is written in the stars. The pain of Euro 96, the heartbreak of the Euros final at Wembley in 2021. The long wait ended by Gareth Southgate’s heroes against Colombia in 2018.Here’s the thing. Thomas Tuchel has actually sat his players down and told them that if England are to win the World Cup then they will have won TWO penalty shoot-outs.‌That is going by stats, probability and history. So, England are bracing themselves, practising spot kicks and getting ready for the inevitable.Even if we do not have a shoot-out against DR Congo on Wednesday in the round of 32, then it will surely come along the way during the extended knock-out phase.There are five potential knock-out games if you want to win the World Cup, the England games have been tight so make sure your fingernails are ready to be bitten.‌England have won three and lost seven shootouts in the history of men's Euros and World CupsThe last time England went into a shootout was the quarter-final of Euro 2024, where they beat Switzerland 5-3 with five of the most well-executed penalties you're likely to see.And that was with Harry Kane off the pitch. Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Ivan Toney and Trent Alexander-Arnold sent England into the semi-finals.Of course, Alexander-Arnold, with a 100% career penalty record - all in shoot-outs - and Palmer, with an impressive 21 from 23 career panelties scored (91%) including a 100% shoot-out record, are not in the squad. Neither is Harry Maguire, who likes to smash his spot-kicks home and has six from seven (86%) as his penalty record.‌However, England have been practising regularly since they arrived in Florida. They have taken records and totted them up.They even had a mock shoot-out after one of the behind-closed-doors friendlies.Tuchel made it clear that one of the reasons he likes "special ops" Ivan Toney is because the striker is deadly from the spot and exudes confidence with his no-look technique.England boss Tuchel has 11 regular penalty takers in his squad. Here’s a look at how they fare. By the way, even Jordan Pickford said that, even though he would take one, he’s been relegated down the list.‌Get the latest World Cup 2026 news in your inbox with our Make Football Great Again newsletterEngland’s possible penalty takers and who should and shouldn’t take one.1. Harry KaneHe has missed one in this tournament (but it was retaken so won’t count on the stats) but took it again and scored. That shows his calmness and mentality.Famously missed his second penalty of the game against France in the quarter-finals of the last World Cup but - if he's still on the pitch - will surely go first with a 100 per cent record in shoot outs and 89.4 per cent in total for club and country. That's a staggering 110 penalties scored from 123 taken.‌2. Ivan ToneyDeadly from the spot. Last time out, he even joked about his no-look by playing no-look darts and basketball when he posted on social media.He is 91 per cent from the spot with 67 scored from 73 taken in his career and 10 from 12 in shootouts. Great record. Watch out for that 'finisher' substitution if a game is level late on.‌3. Marcus RashfordMissed in Euro 2020 at Wembley but has a great technique and unshakable belief. Has scored three and missed one in shoot-outs (that one at Wembley). Has 21 from 24 total in his career (87.5%)4. Bukayo Saka19 from 22 for club and country (86.4%) which is outstanding. His only miss in a shoot-out was that heartbreak at Wembley. Can he stay fit enough long to last 120 minutes and step up again?‌5. Anthony GordonOutstanding penalty taker who scored in a Florida friendly. Smashes and places them top corner. One hundred per cent in shoot-outs just one miss (17 from 18 - 94%) for club and country. Amazing. If he doesn't start, we might see him deployed just for his penalty record in extra-time.6. Reece JamesOutstanding technique with 100 per cent record (five from five) for club and country and then 100 per cent (four from four) in shoot-outs,‌7. Elliot AndersonAnother 100 per center. Five from five for club and country. Cool head and temperament.8. Jude BellinghamDo you want to try telling him not to take one? He is up for it. Incredible mentality. Strong record with five from six career pens and three from three in shootouts.‌9. Declan RiceRecord from the spot: Seven taken, five converted and two missed for club and country. But he is one that wants the opportunity.And who should probably not...10. Ollie WatkinsHe happily takes penalties but his record is patchy at best. Taken 16, scored nine and missed seven (56% is pretty low). However, he is three from three and 100 per cent in shoot-outs.‌11. Eberechi EzeFor club and country, he has taken 12 in total. Scored eight but missed four (66%) . His record in shoot-outs is poor with three taken and only one scored (33%). Arsenal fans will not need reminding the last one missed was in the Champions League final.But huge credit to him, he said he would not hesitate taking one in the World Cup. But let’s maybe hope it does not come to that…‌Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.Content cannot be displayed without consent