The best penalty shootouts in World Cup history

Cruel when your team is part of one but wildly entertaining in any other situation, the penalty shootout is a gift from the football gods.

Sure, it may be a horrible way for any side to exit a competition, but the tension and drama they invoke is unrivalled.

The World Cup has played host to some thrilling shootouts over the years, and here are a few of the very best in the tournament's history.

1. West Germany 5-4 France (1982)

This all-time classic World Cup encounter was overshadowed by the vicious attack on Patrick Battiston from German goalkeeper Harald Schumacher, who would go on to have a big hand in Germany's progression into the 1982 World Cup final.

French artistry met ruthless German efficiency in this semi-final encounter and the two sides couldn't be separated after 120 minutes of action.

France had taken a 3-1 lead in extra-time, but they were pegged back by the Germans who went on to win the penalty shootout after Schumacher denied Maxime Bossis and Patrick Six from 12 yards.

2. France 5-3 Brazil (1986)

These two pioneers of footballing romance couldn't be separated in a 120-minute exhibition at the 1986 World Cup.

Dubbed “the match of the century” by Brazilian icon Pele, France and Brazil played out an enthralling quarter-final in the Mexican heat as Les Blues' 'magic square' faced up against the Seleção's samba silk.

The bout went to penalties after a 1-1 draw and the shootout saw both Socrates and Michel Platini miss from the spot. Crucially for the French, Luis Fernandez converted their fifth attempt after Julio Caesar was denied.

3. West Germany 4-3 England (1990)

England exceeded all expectations at Italia '90 and the tournament is now looked back upon with great nostalgia. Their journey to the semi-finals was filled with drama - both on and off the field - and it was their arch-nemesis' who stood between them and their first World Cup final appearance since 1966.

England were arguably superior, but the street-wise Germans, buoyed by the fall of the Berlin Wall, were able to grind out a draw which took the contest to penalties.

Germany were typically perfect from the spot, but so were England through three spot-kicks. Stuart Pearce then had his effort saved by the legs of Bodo Illgner before Chris Waddle infamously blazed over their fifth attempt to send the Three Lions home.

4. Brazil 3-2 Italy (1994)

Roberto Baggio: the man who died standing up.

The genius Italian trequartista had carried Italy into the 1994 final despite tension with manager Arrigo Sacchi, and the Azzurri defence had done a stellar job in thwarting Romario's Brazil to take the game to penalties.

The shootout began with misses from both teams before Daniele Massaro scuppered Italy's fourth penalty. Dunga handed Brazil the advantage which meant Baggio had to score to keep the Italians alive.

We all know what happened next...

5. Italy 5-3 France (2006)

The game's protagonist had departed the field before Italy and France played out just the second penalty shootout in World Cup final history.

Zinedine Zidane had given France the lead with a marvellous panenka before Marco Materazzi headed home Italy's equaliser. The two goalscorers were then involved in a sequence entrenched in infamy as Zidane, on his last-ever appearances, sunk his head into Materazzi's chest which saw him dismissed in extra time.

Without their talisman, France fell to an agonising shootout defeat as Fabio Grosso scored the winning penalty for the Azzurri.

6. Netherlands 4-3 Costa Rica (2014)

Costa Rica were the surprise package of the 2014 World Cup, progressing into the quarter-finals of the tournament after masterfully managing the supposed 'Group of Death' before beating Greece on penalties in the round of 16.

Louis van Gaal's similarly impressive Dutch side awaited in the quarter-finals, but what ensued was far from a classic. A dull stalemate took the game all the way to penalties with Van Gaal opting to replace number one Jasper Cillessen with reserve keeper Tim Krul for the shootout.

The decision proved to be a masterstroke as Krul saved two Costa Rica penalties to send the Netherlands through to the semi-finals.