From the sudden silence before a decisive kick to the roar of relief (or heartbreak) after a goal or miss — penalty shootouts are among football’s most electric moments. In the annals of Copa América, these tense duels have produced drama, records, legends, and heartbreak. Below, CantoKick explores who holds the record for the most penalties taken in a Copa América shootout, and dives deep into the penalty lore of South America’s grandest stage.
Understanding “Most Penalties” In Context
When someone asks for the “most penalties in Copa America history,” there are two plausible interpretations:
- Most penalties in a single Copa América shootout (combined attempts by both teams).
- Most penalties taken/converted by an individual or team across multiple tournaments (career stats).
In practice, the more compelling record—and the one most fans refer to—is the single-match shootout with the highest number of penalty attempts. That’s the reference point we’ll explore first, then we’ll touch on individual and team shootout statistics.
The Single-Match Record: 14 Penalties in a Shootout
In Copa América shootout history, the record for most penalties in a single shootout stands at 14 total kicks (i.e. 7 each, before sudden death).
This occurred in two separate shootouts:
- In 2007, a semi-final saw one match reach 7 kicks. edia])
- In 2015, one quarterfinal (or knockout match) also went to 7 kicks each (14 in total).
Because shootouts in Copa América can vary in their format (especially in modern editions, with extra time, etc.), this “14 kicks” mark remains the top.
Most penalties scored (in that shootout)
In one of the earliest shootouts of the tournament—1993—both Argentina vs. Brazil and Argentina vs. Colombia matches saw 11 successful penalties (i.e., 11 converted out of total attempts). That remains the record for most penalties scored in a single Copa América shootout.
Thus, in terms of pure drama:
- Most total penalties (attempts) in a shootout: 14
- Most scored in a shootout: 11
These episodes are etched in the Copa América memory because they test nerves, endurance, and composure—not just technical skill.
The Legendary Uruguay–Brazil Shootout (1983) — A Special Case
If one looks beyond “official modern shootouts,” another legendary duel looms: in the 1983 Copa América quarterfinal, Uruguay vs Brazil reportedly went to 21 rounds (i.e. potentially 21 kicks per side) in a shootout.
That, if taken literally, would dwarf all modern records in sheer length. But several caveats apply:
- Available sources on that 1983 shootout are less formal and sometimes contradictory.
- It may have been a different format or regarded in historical accounts differently (less standardized recording).
- In the modern record books and structured shootout lists (since the 1990s), that match is seldom used in formal comparisons.
For most contemporary fans and record-keepers, the sanctioned “modern shootout” benchmark remains 14 kicks total.
Individual Shootout Records: Players & Goalkeepers
While “most penalties in Copa America history” most naturally points to single-match records, fans often wonder who has taken or scored the most over multiple tournaments.
Players with most shootout participations & conversions
- Lionel Messi holds the record for most shootouts played in Copa América (6 times: 2011, 2015 [twice], 2016, 2021, 2024).
- In terms of penalties scored in shootouts, Messi and Juan Cuadrado both top the list with 4 successful spot kicks in shootouts.
- About misses, Messi has also missed twice in shootouts (in 2016 and 2024).
Goalkeeper records
- David Ospina has faced the most penalties in Copa América shootouts: 24 shots against him.
- Sergio Romero has conceded 17 penalties across his shootout appearances.
- Justo Villar is notable for having conceded 0 in one shootout (i.e. all his opponents missed or were saved) — an exceptional performance.
These individual stats frame how some players earn reputations as “shootout kings” or “heroes in gloves.”
Team Shootout Records & Trends
Beyond individuals, teams themselves carry shootout legacies—how many times they’ve gone to shootouts, how many they’ve won or lost.
- The team with most shootouts played in Copa América is widely Argentina, with around 12 shootout participations.
- As for winning, the top tally of shootout victories in Copa América is 6.
- A darker record: most shootout losses is also 6, borne by the same or related teams over time.
These mirror-match tallies underscore how shootouts are as much about history and psychology as pure skill.
Why Do Some Shootouts Spiral Longer?
A shootout reaching 14 kicks (or more) is rare—only when:
- Both teams are nearly flawless (or the keepers are exceptional).
- The mental pressure leads to misses in sudden death rounds.
- Both sides’ strategists pick reliable takers deep into the order.
In South America, with deep shootout experience and bold players, it’s perhaps less surprising that multiple contests have pushed the limits.
The 1993 shootouts with 11 successful penalties are often lauded as classics. Meanwhile, 2007 and 2015 matches gave fans edge-of-seat cliffhangers as shootouts extended to 14 kicks.
What This Means for Fans & Analysts
When asking “most penalties in Copa America history,” the answer is:
- 14 total kicks is the record for most in a single modern shootout.
- 11 is the high mark for most converted in a single shootout.
- In historical lore, a 1983 Uruguay vs Brazil shootout is sometimes cited as stretching to 21 rounds—but it exists more in myth and anecdote than formal record books.
Understanding these records gives deeper context when watching a Copa América decider. Suddenly a penalty shootout in 2024 ending 5–4 doesn’t seem so long—but when you glimpse the archives, you see what the ceiling is.
Conclusion
Most penalties in Copa America history refers most cleanly to 14 total kicks in a single shootout — the modern benchmark that stands firm in official records. CantoKick hopes you now grasp not only that number but the stories, legends, and records behind it. Next time a Copa América match goes to penalties, you’ll know when the drama is pushing into record territory.
If you enjoyed this deep dive, stay tuned to CantoKick for more record breakdowns, player profiles, match reviews, and tournament analyses.
