Ahead of Sunday's quarter-final against Italy, we examine England's penalty shoot-out record.
Italy have one of the worst penalty shoot-out records of any nation in Europe, with just two wins from seven contests. Fortunately for the Azzurri, their Euro 2012 quarter-final opponents have fared even worse.
England have won just one of their six penalty shoot-outs at major tournaments. Here we take a look at the history of that dismal record.
WORLD CUP 1990
England's penalty shoot-out hell began at Italia 90 when West Germany rained on the parade of Bobby Robson's side in the semi-finals. Despite a good start to the shoot-out with Gary Lineker, Peter Beardsley and David Platt all scoring their penalties, England could not hold their nerve. For every penalty England scored the Germans netted their own. Stuart Pearce then had his penalty saved, followed by Chris Waddle's infamous skied effort which saw England crash out.
EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP 1996
In 1996, football came home to English soil. This was an opportunity to emulate the success of the World Cup 1966 squad. England went to penalties in their quarter-final clash with Spain, and after Pearce scored a redeeming penalty and David Seaman made a fine save, England were in the semi-finals. But England's penalty jinx would return as they once again went head to head with the Germans in the semi-final. England made a brilliant start by scoring their first five penalties, but once again Germany matched them blow for blow. What followed is one of the most talked about penalty misses in English history as Gareth Southgate's weak effort was easily held by German goalkeeper Andreas Kopke. Germany scored their final penalty and England's shootout woes continued.
WORLD CUP 1998
England's second round tie against Argentina also went to penalties after goals from Alan Shearer and Michael Owen were not enough to close the game in 90 minutes. Argentina scored the first penalty in the shootout and Shearer equalised. Things were looking promising when Seaman saved Hernan Crespo's effort, which was only to be followed by Paul Ince having his penalty kept out. Argentina then regained the lead but Paul Merson levelled the scores once again. Argentina scored again and Owen matched them, but after the Argentinians put away what would be their winner, David Batty had his penalty saved as the curse went on.
EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP 2004
The Euros were held in Portugal and England took on the hosts in the quarter-final in Lisbon, the tie going to penalties after it ended 2-2. This time round England had the first kick, a good opportunity to apply pressure to the Portuguese. David Beckham stepped up to the spot and shot over the bar - giving the home team an immediate advantage. England scored their next two and Portugal missed one which meant England were back in the game. After John Terry, Owen Hargreaves and Ashley Cole all bagged their penalties the score was 5-5. Darius Vassell then had his penalty saved and the Portuguese goalkeeper Ricardo put the ball past Seaman and England were out once again.
WORLD CUP 2006
Two years later in Germany at the World Cup, the two teams met again in the quarter-final. A goalless draw meant that England were once again facing penalties. Portugal scored their first and then Frank Lampard's effort was saved. Portugal went on to miss their next two, with Hargreaves scoring but Steven Gerrard having his shot saved. Portugal's Helder Postiga then netted his penalty but Jamie Carragher missed. Cristiano Ronaldo sealed England's exit from the spot.
