Penalties are the most stressful parts of a football game. The history of England penalty shootouts has a mix of crushing loss and amazing success. Many brave players have taken responsibility for their teams over the years, showing off their nerves of steel and precise shots while the whole world watches. In this article, we’ll take a look at the best England penalty takers of all time, analyzing their records, strengths, and moments of failure. Whether you’re a football enthusiast or just curious about England’s penalty history, this post has it all.
Why Penalties Matter for England
The relationship between England and penalties has been a turbulent one. We’ve had the infamous shootout losses of the ’90s, and the recent successes under Gareth Southgate. Penalties have shaped this country’s footballing narrative. A trusty penalty taker can be the difference between victory and defeat, and England has produced some of the most consistent, ruthless spot-kick specialists around.
Criteria for Ranking the Best England Penalty Takers
To determine the best England penalty takers of all time, we’ve considered the following factors:
- Number of penalties taken and scored
- Success rate (percentage scored)
- Ability to perform under pressure
- Impact in crucial matches
Top 10 Best England Penalty Takers of All Time
Now, let’s meet the top 10.
1. Frank Lampard
- Penalties Taken: 60
- Penalties Scored: 50
- Success Rate: 83.3%
Frank Lampard is one of England’s most consistent penalty takers. This is due to several factors. One is his ability to stay calm under pressure. Another is his powerful, accurate strikes. These factors made him a reliable choice for Chelsea and England. Lampard was also a great technician. He often aimed for the corners, making it difficult for goalkeepers to predict his shots. That said, Lampard did miss a few crucial penalties, including one in the 2008 UEFA Champions League final against Manchester United. Nonetheless, his overall record speaks for itself.
2. Harry Kane
- Penalties Taken: 58
- Penalties Scored: 50
- Success Rate: 86.2%
Harry Kane is England’s current captain and one of the world’s top penalty takers. Kane’s composure and precision, which is what helped England out of some tough moments, like during the 2018 World Cup, is what makes him so special. He can read what a goalie is doing and adjust his shot accordingly. He usually uses a staccato run-up to confuse the keeper, and he has a top-notch record, except for the penalty he missed in the Euro 2020 final against Italy.
3. Steven Gerrard
- Penalties Taken: 48
- Penalties Scored: 41
- Success Rate: 85.4%
Liverpool and England’s go-to penalty taker was Stevie G. His kicks were known for being hard and well placed, and goalkeepers usually didn’t have a chance to make the save. One might ask what made Steven Gerrard such a good penalty taker? Well, he was a true leader on and off the pitch and seemed to thrive under pressure. He was definitely the best choice. Unfortunately, he missed an important kick during the 2006 FA Cup finals. Nevertheless, his track record is still impressive.
4. Alan Shearer
- Penalties Taken: 57
- Penalties Scored: 50
- Success Rate: 87.7%
Alan Shearer was one of England’s best goal scorers and penalty shooters. The way he played was always to the point, and he was able to score goals easily. Shearer’s penalties were simple but smart. He would sometimes slam the ball into the top corner, and every time he did it was perfect. Shearer missed a few penalties at the start of his career, but he quickly showed everyone that he was one of the best.
5. Gary Lineker
- Penalties Taken: 34
- Penalties Scored: 30
- Success Rate: 88.2%
Gary Lineker was known for scoring loads of goals and scoring on penalty kicks. With his calm attitude and perfect penalty kicks, it’s no wonder he had loads of fans. Lineker’s penalty kicks were all about placement, and he hardly ever missed. But he did miss a penalty in the 1990 World Cup semi-final against West Germany. However, his track record as a penalty kick taker is still excellent.
6. Wayne Rooney
- Penalties Taken: 45
- Penalties Scored: 38
- Success Rate: 84.4%
There wasn’t a spot on the pitch that Wayne Rooney couldn’t score from. If he missed, they would have to pick the ball out of the netting. The spotty forward was also known for his wicked penalty kicks, and nobody could guess where they were coming from. His short, unpredictable run-up kept the goalies on their toes, and he found the back of the net plenty of times. He didn’t sink every one, though, which is pretty impressive given how well-placed and powerful they were.
7. Leighton Baines
- Penalties Taken: 28
- Penalties Scored: 26
- Success Rate: 92.9%
Leighton Baines was one of England’s best ever penalty takers. His near-perfect record is testament to his skill. He was accurate, so powerful and, more often than not, aimed for the bottom corners, making it impossible for the keeper to save. He didn’t score every time but was only on the pitch long enough to prove that he was a prolific penalty-taker.
8. Paul Ince
- Penalties Taken: 25
- Penalties Scored: 22
- Success Rate: 88%
Paul Ince was a midfielder who would sometimes take the ball to the net as well. Paul was always well directed, and goalies didn’t have much time to defend or react. He would have had a great record if he wasn’t missing some, but it’s still good.
9. David Beckham
- Penalties Taken: 32
- Penalties Scored: 27
- Success Rate: 84.4%
David Beckham could really kick a football. He was super good at set-pieces, and his penalties were just as amazing. If he was taking a penalty, you knew the ball was going into the corner. He had a little blip at the 2004 European Championship and he missed a penalty to Portugal, but overall, he was great.
10. Jermain Defoe
- Penalties Taken: 20
- Penalties Scored: 18
- Success Rate: 90%
Jermain Defoe was one of the best when it came to putting the ball in the net from the penalty spot. He was quick and accurate and often caught the opposing team off guard. In all of his penalty kick attempts, the percentage he made is among the best in the game.
Who Is the Best of Them All?
While all the players on this list have impressive records, Harry Kane has proven himself to be the best England penalty taker. He can deliver a penalty in critical moments with both consistency and composure. With a success rate of 86.2% and a record of scoring in high-pressure situations, Kane is the man for the job.
Wrap-Up Best England Penalty Takers of All Time
It takes a lot of nerves and skills to take a penalty. Luckily, England has had some of the best penalty takers in football history. They remind us why football is the beautiful game, whether we are remembering the good old days or looking forward to future success. The best England penalty takers of all time, from Frank Lampard’s power to Harry Kane’s precision, have had a big impact on the game.
For more on England’s football history, check out this link.
This article was updated 2 weeks ago
