Penalty Shootout

Penalty Shootout is a quick soccer game where you take turns shooting and keeping goal against the CPU: best of five kicks, then sudden death. Play Penalty Shootout online free, right in your browser, with no download. It works with a keyboard on desktop or with taps and swipes on a phone.

How to play

You and the CPU alternate penalties. Score more than your opponent over five kicks each to win the match. If it’s level after five, it goes to sudden death. Every match you win adds to your win streak, and your best streak is saved in your browser.

Shooting

• A reticle sweeps around the goal. Tap or press Space to lock your aim where you want the ball to go.
• A power bar then fills and empties. Tap again to set the power. The green zone is ideal; too much and the ball flies over the bar.
• Prefer one motion? Swipe up on the pitch to shoot. The direction and speed of your swipe set the shot.

Keeping

• When the CPU shoots, dive left, dive right or stay in the middle.
• Watch the shooter’s run-up. It often gives away which way the kick is going.

Tips

• Aim for the corners, but not too tight. Shots near the posts are the hardest to save, but aiming right on the edge risks hitting the woodwork or going wide.
• Stay in the green on power. A perfectly placed shot is wasted if it sails over the bar. When in doubt, go slightly under full power rather than over.
• Read the run-up, but don’t trust it blindly. The shooter’s tell points the right way more often than not, but the CPU will sometimes fake you out.
• Don’t dive too early. If you commit before the kick, the CPU can see it and roll the ball the other way. Wait for the run-up to finish, then react.
• Staying in the middle is a real option. The CPU sometimes goes down the centre, and a keeper who stays put saves those easily.

FAQ

Is Penalty Shootout free?

Yes. It’s free to play with no account or download. Press Start Match and you’re on the spot.

Can I play it on a phone or Chromebook?

Yes. On a phone, tap to aim and set power or swipe up to shoot, and tap the left, middle or right of the goal to dive. On a Chromebook or laptop, use Space to shoot and the arrow keys to dive.

What happens if the match is tied after five penalties?

It goes to sudden death. You each take one more kick, and the first round where one side scores and the other doesn’t decides the match.

Is there a two-player mode?

Not in this game. Penalty Shootout is you against the CPU, and the challenge is to extend your win streak for as long as you can.

For more football on the web, see our list of the best browser soccer games.