Unforgettable Night at Deepdale: The Longest Penalty Shootout in English Football History

Deepdale was the setting for an extraordinary night of football on Tuesday as Fulham and Preston North End battled it out in the Carabao Cup third-round tie. What followed was a record-breaking penalty shootout, with an incredible 34 penalties taken, and 31 of them hitting the net.

This dramatic shootout, excluding FA Cup qualifiers, now holds the title for the highest-scoring penalty shootout in a major English domestic competition, surpassing the Derby County vs. Carlisle United clash in 2016.

This trend of high-scoring shootouts in recent years is noteworthy, signaling the meticulous preparation teams put into these scenarios. Fulham, under the guidance of head coach Marco Silva, had meticulously trained for such situations, even repeating penalties against the same goalkeeper during practice.

For Fulham, this shootout exceeded the misfortune of a night in Aldershot in 1987, while Preston improved upon their victory over Oldham in 2014-15. This historic result marked a significant upset for Paul Heckingbottom’s Championship side, knocking out last season’s semi-finalists.

This was a night of resilience, skill, and determination, culminating in an epic battle of nerves and precision. Each penalty taker showcased exceptional composure and accuracy, pushing the boundaries of what a penalty shootout could entail. It was a night that will be etched in football history.

To relive every moment of this historic event, here is a breakdown of each captivating penalty in this unforgettable clash at Deepdale.