In Mexico on Sunday, the 2025 Torneo Apertura final pitted Toluca against Tigres and ended with the longest penalty shootout in Liga MX history, with a total of 24 penalty kicks taken. Despite this marathon shootout, it still falls short of the world record for the longest shootout.
Toluca clinched the Apertura title by defeating Tigres 9-8 in penalties, with 17 successful and seven missed attempts during a shootout that required both goalkeepers to take shots. Of the seven misses, three were saved, three went over the crossbar, and one hit the post.
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The 24 penalties taken during the shootout marked a new Liga MX record, exceeding the previous record of 16 set in the 1982-83 final between Puebla and Chivas.
However, it still does not come close to the world record.
What is the longest penalty shootout in soccer history?
The world record stands at an astonishing 56 penalty kicks.
This record was established in May 2024 during the semifinal of Israel’s third-tier Liga Alef South, where F.C. Dimona faced Shimshon Tel Aviv after a 2-2 draw in regular time.
The ensuing shootout lasted so long that every player had to take at least two penalties, with some players required to take a third, resulting in Dimona defeating Shimshon 23-22.
This shootout surpassed the previous record of 54 penalties, set in March 2022 when Washington triumphed over Bedlington 25-24 in the first round of the Ernest Armstrong Memorial Cup.
According to the BBC, this remarkable match had an attendance of just 40 spectators, meaning there were more penalties executed than fans present.