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Going first in a penalty shootout gives teams an advantage … or does it?

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Thirteen of the past 15 shootouts at World Cups have been won by the team that went secondBy Opta AnalystAfter watching 120 minutes of football, you might not find observing a coin toss the most exciting dessert. Fans in the stadium care, though. Win a coin toss for a penalty shootout and you choose the end where they are taken – to much rejoicing from those behind the chosen goal. Another coin toss also allows the winner to choose whether to go first or second. But does that decision actually…

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The Guardian Football·rss·3h ago·primary
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