Should teams bring on players just for penalty shootouts?

The second night of knockout round matches at the 2026 World Cup saw two of the three games decided via penalty shootout.

Paraguay produced the biggest shock by beating Germany 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extra-time. After remaining tied on the same match score hours later, Morocco were eventually 3-2 shootout winners over the Netherlands.

There has been a trend in recent years of players being substituted on late in extra-time with the intention that they will be used to take penalties, should the game go to a shootout.

But recent data from Opta suggests that is not a good idea. Of the last ten players to be subbed on after the 115th minute at a World Cup or European Championships, eight who took a penalty in a shootout went on to miss.

During the first shootouts of the 2026 World Cup, Bournemouth forward Justin Kluivert was introduced as an 113th-minute substitute, and was one of three Dutch players unable to convert from 12 yards.

Paraguay were also on the wrong end of a late substitution gamble, but were able to hold on for victory. Former West Ham defender Fabian Balbuena came on in the 122nd minute but was one of two Paraguay players who did not score their penalties.

Losers Germany had a night of mixed success with substitutes taking penalties. Nick Woltemade failed to score, but Nadiem Amiri and Jamal Musiala did find the net.

England have had some success in recent times by making substitutions late on with penalties in mind.

During their round of 16 win over Switzerland at Euro 2024, former Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate opted to bring on Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ivan Toney in the second half of extra-time.

Both went on to score crucial penalties and England progressed to the final, although both of their introductions against Switzerland were before the 115th minute.

But England have also been on the wrong side of late substitutes taking penalties.

In the final of Euro 2020, Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford both missed penalties, having been subbed on late in the game.

Jamie Carragher also missed a penalty as a late substitute in the quarter-finals of the 2006 World Cup, during a defeat to Portugal.

All penalties listed are taken by players substituted in after the 115th minute

This article is the latest from BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team.