After five misses in the World Cup’s first penalty shootout, Argentina wisely practised spot-kicks on Sunday before flying to Sao Paulo for their last-16 clash with Switzerland.
The South Americans are heavily favoured to beat the Swiss on Tuesday, but underdogs have been making a mark in Brazil so coach Alejandro Sabella clearly aims to leave nothing to chance.
Attackers Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Angel Di Maria, joined by midfielder Javier Mascherano and defender Martin Demichelis, all practised penalties against goalkeeper Sergio Romero at their Belo Horizonte training camp.
They were no doubt mindful of Saturday’s drama nearby when five players missed penalties during Brazil’s 3-2 shootout victory over Chile after a 1-1 draw in normal and extra time.
Argentina have been involved in four World Cup penalty shootouts, winning three, against Yugoslavia and Italy in 1990, and England in 1998. They lost against Germany in 2006.