Among the modern trends that irk football traditionalists, stuttered penalty run-ups sit near the top of the list, alongside players wearing gloves with short sleeves, diving, and the ever-controversial video assistant referee (VAR).
There’s no precise definition of a stutter, but under Fifa rules, a player may pause or feint during the run-up, so long as it doesn’t happen immediately before striking the ball.
The tactic isn’t new — John Aldridge, Mexico great Hugo Sanchez and Pele all used it — but it can go badly wrong if the goalkeeper refuses to commit early.
Mbappe now joins Bruno Guimaraes, Jorgen Strand Larsen, Messi and Harry Kane — though Kane converted a retake against Croatia without the stutter — among those to miss after a staggered approach.
At this World Cup, 26 ‘stutter’ penalties — including in shootouts — have been taken; 11 have been missed, a 57% success rate.
On ITV, Ian Wright suggested goalkeepers have figured the technique out and now hold the upper hand.
Even so, Marko Arnautovic, Raul Jimenez, Neymar, Mbappe, Cristiano Ronaldo, Yoane Wissa and Kai Havertz have all scored using it.
Meanwhile, 24 of the 35 ‘non-stutter’ penalties have been converted, a 68% conversion rate.
Overall, it’s been a disappointing World Cup for penalty takers from 12 yards.
This summer, 30% of non-shootout penalties have been missed — the second-highest proportion at any World Cup since records began in 1966.
Including shootouts, the miss rate rises to 35%, the highest of any World Cup since 1966.
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scotland winger Pat Nevin described an arms race, arguing it’s now harder to score because goalkeepers are bigger and more athletic.
If the keeper guesses correctly, you generally need pace into the side netting — and even that can be saved.
With a “very good” penalty no longer close to a certainty, takers try to force the goalkeeper the wrong way — hence the stuttered approach.
He added that goalkeepers have detailed data on players’ tendencies, so there’s a constant battle to secure any edge.
Nevin said Mbappe’s advantage is preparation: a set routine when placing the ball. He went through it twice today, but having to do it a third time coincided with the miss.