# Penalty Shootout: Is Second Best?

URL: https://technosports.co.in/penalty-shootout-is-second-best/  
Published: 2026-07-11  
Updated: 2026-07-11  
Author: Ankush Mallick

The 2026 World Cup has sparked a massive debate: does going second guarantee victory? While history once showed no clear pattern, the current trend is undeniable. All four 2026 shootouts were claimed by the second team. With 13 of the last 15 winners shooting second, the psychological pressure of chasing has shifted. Is this a new tactical gold mine?