World Cup Word of the Day: Penalty shoot-out

The second semi-final between Argentina and Holland was a very different game to the one the night before when Germany blew away hosts Brazil. This time Argentina qualified for the final on a penalty shoot-out after a scoreless 120 minutes. Why not try our World Cup Word Quiz, too, to see how well you know your football language!

World Cup Phrase – Penalty shoot-out

In the knock-out stages of tournament football there has to be a winner from each game and so if a match finishes as a draw (e.g. 0-0 or 1-1) after 90 minutes then an extra 30 minutes needs to be played – this is known as extra time. If the teams are still level (or tied) at the end of this period of extra time then a penalty shoot-out is used to decide which team will win. At first, each side takes five penalties but if there is no winner after these five spot kicks then they keep taking penalties until a winner can be found and this part of the penalty shoot-out is known as sudden death.

• Example: Argentina defeated Holland 4-2 in a penalty shoot-out in the second 2014 World Cup semi-final.
• Brazil won the 1994 World Cup on a penalty shoot-out against Italy in California.