Brazil coach Tite isn’t a fan of penalty shootouts. He doesn’t have any better ideas, though. “Taking a penalty is something really hard. A football match should never end by taking penalties,” Tite said Thursday. “I don’t see that as a valid result. But I don’t know what to suggest instead.” The five-time champions have a 3-1 record in penalty shootouts at the World Cup. After losing the first one they played against France in 1986, the Selecao came out on top of the last three.
Brazil won the 1994 World Cup final by defeating Italy in a shootout following a goalless draw, eliminated the Netherlands on penalties to make it to the 1998 final and advanced to the quarterfinals four years ago by ousting Chile the same way. Only Germany and Argentina, with four wins each, have won more World Cup shootouts than Brazil. Tite said his players have been practicing spot kicks ahead of their quarterfinal match against Belgium on Friday. Three of the eight knockout matches so far at this year’s World Cup were decided by a penalty shootout.
“Taking penalties is a technique that is associated with emotional control,” Tite said. “We have been practicing penalties. It’s an incredible responsibility.”