An eerie calm descends on the Letzigrund Stadium as Chloe Kelly walks into the penalty area to take England‘s fifth spot-kick against Sweden.
The chaos of the previous 120 minutes has left nerves frayed to their final sinew, and now, with one miskick of a boot, the reigning champions could be sent packing.
But with a huff and a puff and one giant stride, the 27-year-old from west London keeps England’s Euros dreams alive.
Kelly has taken just nine penalties in her club and international career, scoring seven. All three of her England penalties have come in shootouts, and she’s never missed the target.
Now, with the prospect of another shootout looming, Mail Sport spoke to penalty expert Geir Jordet – Professor at the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences and author of Pressure: Lessons from the Psychology of the Penalty Shootout – to understand what gives Kelly the edge.
It goes beyond power although her 69mph rocket at the 2023 World Cup – faster than any Premier League penalty that season – still lingers in the memory.
Chloe Kelly scored a vital penalty for England to keep them in the tie against Sweden last week
She has taken nine penalties in her career, scoring seven, and all three taken for England
Mail Sport spoke to penalty expert Geir Jordet to understand what gives Kelly the edge
Jordet observed how Wiegman’s side followed routines like those used by Gareth Southgate’s team employed to great success last summer. From the organisation of the pre-shootout huddle to Wiegman’s brief instructions, the Lionesses were clearly well-drilled.
‘There were a lot of things they did that were indicative of them having a plan,’ says Jordet. ‘So I was surprised to see those four players who missed (Lauren James, Beth Mead, Alex Greenwood, Grace Clinton), their body language indicated that they’d rather do it quickly and get it over with rather than having a very robust focus on the step-by-step behaviours leading up to the shot.’
One player who did follow the process was Kelly – who stepped up for one of the most high-pressure kicks of the lot.
‘I love how she approaches the spot,’ Jordet says. ‘The goalkeeper was interacting with the referee, and Chloe just waited outside. When Falk stepped onto the line, that’s when Chloe moved in and took 10 seconds to engage with the spot.
‘First she examined it with her feet, then brushed the ball on the grass. I don’t know the purpose of that, but she took her time. That shows a player in control.
‘Then she places the ball carefully, steps up and stands over it to think, ‘Okay, should I step back? Is the goalkeeper ready’
‘The referee’s whistle goes as she steps back. She doesn’t let it distract her.
‘When she walked back, you could see her smile. Usually when I see a penalty-taker smile, I think, ‘This isn’t a good sign.’ Players often pretend they’re fine, which means they’re focused on appearing calm instead of on the shot itself.
Jordet observed how Wiegman’s side followed routines like those used by Gareth Southgate’s team at Euro 2024
From the organisation of the pre-shootout huddle to Wiegman’s brief instructions, the Lionesses were clearly well-drilled
He added that Kelly ‘seemed truly relaxed’ as she approached the spot and showed ‘admirable’ courage
‘But that wasn’t the case with Kelly’s smile. It was a genuine reaction to Falk. She seemed truly relaxed in that moment.
‘She finishes her walk back and stands for almost five seconds. The last thing she does before starting her trademark run-up is take a deep breath.
‘Then comes the initiation (run-up). I’m not a biomechanic, but I admire the psychological aspect – it’s so different and so unique. I don’t think I’ve seen anyone, male or female, do anything like it. The courage to do that under pressure is admirable.
‘Finally, the kick. She has a powerful shot to her left, with pace and precision. But this time she angled her foot and turned it to the right. The Swedish goalkeeper went the wrong way.
‘No one else in the shootout did that. It looks like she tricked the keeper at the last moment. If that’s the case – and it’s hard to say for sure – then her technique is exceptional.’
It turns out that her laugh was, indeed, a genuine reaction to the goalkeeper. And that ability to stay calm, even find humour, in the most intense moments is what sets Kelly apart.
She recently admitted she still rewatches her 110th-minute winner against Germany in the 2022 final – ‘If I ever need a little smile’.
Tucked under her socks, Kelly wears shinpads printed with a photo of herself and her husband Scott Moore – a former Everton groundsman she met while playing there – on their wedding day alongside their dogs. A small personal reminder of home, even in the tensest of moments.
Kelly recently admitted she still rewatches her 110th-minute winner against Germany in the 2022 final
She also wears shinpads printed with a photo of herself and her new husband Scott Moore
She met Moore – a former Everton groundsman – when she was a player at the club
Kelly has started every game at the Euros from the bench as one of Wiegman’s ‘finishers’
Relaxed off the pitch – so relaxed she’s known to take a two-hour nap on matchday – she becomes like a cocked gun, ready to fire the moment her number flashes green.
It’s been a turbulent season for Kelly, whose place in the Euros squad looked in serious jeopardy as late as February. A breakdown in relationship with Manchester City manager Gareth Taylor and an impasse over contract talks left her starting the season on the bench.
Her falling-out with City turned into a very public row, where she accused the club of attempting to ‘assassinate my character’ and contributed to a deterioration in her mental health. Taylor, who was sacked by the club in March, maintained that Kelly was simply left out for selection reasons.
Then, in January, a loan move to Arsenal offered a lifeline. After being dropped by Wiegman, Kelly forced the Dutch coach’s hand after playing a pivotal role in the Gunners’ run to the Champions League final. Her resurgence culminated in a starting spot in the final against Barcelona – and a gold medal around her neck. Three weeks ago, she made the move to Arsenal permanent.
As for this tournament, Kelly has started every game from the bench as one of Wiegman’s ‘finishers’, and there’s even an argument that this is where she’s most effective.
Her team-mate Esme Morgan hinted at this in the aftermath of the victory against Sweden, saying: ‘She seems to thrive on those moments when the team needs her to pull a performance out of the bag.’
And time and again, when England are teetering on the edge, Kelly is the one who pulls them back.
