| The strongest contender that Football Daily could find for the worst penalty shootout of all time was predictably held between two English teams. In January 1998, under-10 pair Mickleover Lightning Blue Sox and Chellaston Boys faced off in the Derby Community Cup. After the regular game finished 1-1, a total of 56 penalties failed to break the deadlock, with referee Peter Shieff even moving the spot two yards closer and offering a coin toss to decide the result (which the sides declined). Despite saving 31 consecutive spot-kicks in the sudden-death decider, Chellaston Boys’ goalkeeper Ben Hodder ended up on the losing side as Blue Sox romped home 2-1, after a grand total of 66 kicks had been taken, a world record verified by David Barber, the FA’s official statistician. A thought, then, for the parents that day 27 years ago, stood on the sidelines, outwardly encouraging their youngsters while internally being tortured and scorched with the fires of a thousand flamethrowers. A similar feeling engulfed England and Sweden on Thursday night: after an abysmal first half left them 2-0 down, the Lionesses mounted a late comeback for the ages to force extra-time and penalties. Twice in the subsequent shootout Sweden had kicks to win the game but twice they came up short, with England somehow prevailing 3-2. Before we properly get into the drama – and oh, we will – it should be said that the actual game was as dramatic as it was full of quality. Sweden’s front two of Kosovare Asllani and Stina Blackstenius were outstanding and took their goals expertly. England’s Lauren James was moving like Zizou in the No 10 role – Football Daily hasn’t seen a roulette that devastating since our last trip to Las Vegas. Chloe Kelly’s wingplay was game-changing, providing both assists as England clawed their way back into the game. Unfortunately the same could not be said for the shootout, as nerves, fatigue and excellent goalkeeping from both England’s Hannah Hampton and Sweden’s Jennifer Falk ensured that just five of the 14 penalties found the net. Ultimately, it was the brilliant and bloodied Hampton, along with Lucy Bronze – who scored England’s first goal, soldiered on with knack through extra time and smashed home the decisive penalty – who were England’s heroes. “Lucy Bronze is just one of a kind, I have never, ever seen this before in my life,” roared England manager Sarina Wiegman afterwards. “What defines her is that resilience, that fight. I think the only way to get her off the pitch is in a wheelchair.” Fair play to England then, who – against all odds – found a way to win, snatching victory from the jaws of defeat. As for those penalties, plenty of elite performers have failed to convert at major tournaments, from Roberto Baggio to Bukayo Saka to Diana Ross, and there is plenty of time now to practise before Tuesday’s semi-final against Italy. Leah Williamson succinctly summed up how most were feeling as the dust settled on England’s win, in a quote that could easily have also come from a Derbyshire-based parent in 1998: “That was awful to watch at the end. [Penalties] are the easiest and the hardest thing in the world.” Amen to that. | 