This Guardian Sport video, presented by Nikhita Chulani, examines whether a "perfect penalty" exists in football by drawing on statistics and academic research. With the 2026 World Cup under way, the piece stresses that penalty shootouts often decide knockout matches, making any edge in taking spot kicks potentially decisive for a team's tournament fortunes.

The video frames the penalty shootout as football's cruellest fate, in which a single kick can settle a game's outcome. It sets out to explore what data reveals about the most effective strategy for penalty takers, considering how players might improve their chances from the spot. The item is part of the Guardian's "The Crunch" series and covers themes including World Cup 2026 and football tactics.