Germany have a flawless record when it comes to penalty shootouts at the FIFA World Cup.
They are widely considered the undisputed kings of the spot-kick, having won all 4 of the World Cups shootouts they have contested.
Out of 18 total penalties taken by German players in World Cup shootouts, they have scored 17.
German players were born to take pressure penalties
The only time a German player failed to score a World Cup shootout penalty was back in 1982, when Uli Stielike’s shot was saved by France‘s Jean-Luc Ettori.
Since that exact moment, Germany has converted every single penalty they have taken at the tournament.
While Germany have missed only once, their goalkeepers have also been incredibly efficient.
Out of the 18 penalties faced, opponents have only scored 10. German keepers have saved seven, and England‘s Chris Waddle famously blazed one over the bar in 1990.
The streak began during the 1982 semi-finals with a 5–4 shootout victory over France following a 3–3 draw after extra time.
They secured their second shootout win four years later in the 1986 quarter-finals, defeating hosts Mexico 4–1 after the match ended goalless.
In the 1990 semi-finals, Germany overcame England 4–3 on penalties following a 1–1 deadlock, before most recently extending their perfect record in the 2006 quarter-finals by defeating Argentina 4–2 after another 1–1 draw after extra time.
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Even in normal time (excluding shootouts), Germany’s efficiency from the penalty spot remains top tier, though not quite perfect.
In their World Cup history, Germany (including West Germany) have taken 14 in-game penalties, successfully converting 12 of them.