Spot The Ball

Scots scientist discovers why England can't take penalties

It has been the curse of the England football team and has cost them dear in major championships many times. All too often the English stars have crumbled in the pressure-cooker environment of a penalty shoot-out resulting in the team being sent packing. Now the penalty problems that have dogged the team and reduced some of their top stars to tears after missing a crucial spot-kick have been explained – by Scottish experts.

Researchers at St Andrews and Exeter Universities say success or failure at work, school, or in sport is not always down to lack of ability or incompetence, but because people expect to fulfil a stereotype.