Two words that will undoubtedly strike fear into the heart of any England fan; 'penalty shootout'. The Three Lions have endured more than their fair share of spot-kick heartbreak.
On eight occasions at major tournaments, England have been sent to penalties, the first of which came in the 1990 World Cup. Of those eight, just two have resulted in an England victory.
Often cited as more of a psychological battle than one of supreme technique, England's mental strength has been found wanting when it comes to making the 'loneliest walk in football' from the centre circle to the penalty spot.
England find themselves in the last 16 of Euro 2020, where they will face Germany - a nation they have never previously beaten at a penalty shootout.
Though Gareth Southgate will be desperate for his side to win the game in normal time, the prospect of penalties always lingers in the minds of fans, players and staff alike when it comes to knockout tournament football.
Previous penalty woes
England's first ever shootout defeat at a major tournament came at the hands of West Germany in 1990, where both Stuart Pearce and Chris Waddle failed to convert, ensuring the Three Lions were eliminated at the semi-final stage.
Six years later the two nations met in similar circumstances, this time at a European Championships.
The shootout was sent to sudden death after both England and Germany's first five takers found the back of the net, before Southgate himself saw his effort saved.
With that being said, here is a guide to the most reliable penalty takers in this current crop of English talent ahead of yet another meeting with the Germans which could go the distance.
Spot-kick heroes
Harry Kane, Kieran Trippier and Marcus Rashford will almost certainly be the trio tipped to display nerves of steel should a game end in a shootout.
Trippier's penalty was the pick of the bunch during the last shootout England were involved in, the last-16 win over Colombia in the 2018 World Cup.
Just 20 years old at the time, Rashford showed a level of maturity well beyond his years to place his effort beyond Colombian shot-stopper David Ospina three years ago.
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Kane's spot-kick prowess is well documented, with the Tottenham striker rarely missing from 12-yards at club level. However, Southgate can take extra comfort from the fact that historically, no one has fared better from the penalty spot in an England shirt than Kane.
The England skipper boasts the Three Lions penalty goals, with ten of Kane's 34 international goals stemming from penalties in 54 appearances.
Honourable mentions
While the previously mentioned trio have regularly showcased their talent from a deal ball situation, there are a number of other England stars who fall into the 'reliable' category when it comes to penalties.
Jadon Sancho has been entrusted with the spot-kick duties on three separate occasions for Borussia Dortmund, boasting a 100% conversion ratio.
Mason Mount is often credited with not letting the pressure of big games getting to him, recently starring in the Champions League final for Chelsea, but the pressure of penalties can get the better of even the most talented players.
Mount has taken two penalties in Chelsea colours, converting one in a Premier League game against Southampton before firing wide in a Carabao Cup shootout at Tottenham.
Raheem Sterling is the only player to actually score for England thus far at 2020, but his spot-kick record hardly makes for promising reading.
The Manchester City star has missed more than he has converted, failing to find the net on three occasions, scoring twice, one of which came in an England shirt against Iceland in the UEFA Nations League.
Goalkeeper's role
Over the course of his career for club sides Everton and Sunderland as well as his country, Jordan Pickford has faced 46 non-shootout penalties, of which he has saved 11, a shot-stopping record of just under 24%.
Hardly a record to be scoffed at when you take into account Manchester United 'keeper David de Gea has not stopped a spot-kick in 40 attempts, his last penalty save coming in 2016.
Pickford was the hero of the hour for England's penalty drama in 2018, flinging himself to the left of his goal to parry Carlos Bacca's attempt.
The Everton no.1 has the tall order of potentially not only trying to save penalties from the likes of Kai Havertz and Thomas Muller, but also having to psyche them out.
Remarkably, Pickford is unlikely to be England's final taker should all eleven players be forced to step up.
The 27-year-old has previously taken a penalty for England in the Nations League against Switzerland, sending his counterpart the wrong way with a delightful curling effort.
