What happened to David Batty, who shook off penalty miss against Argentina?
World Cup 2026
Few players take their first penalty as a professional at a World Cup, but that was exactly the situation David Batty found himself in back in 1998.
England’s breathless last-16 tie against Argentina had gone to a shootout and it fell to the midfielder to keep his side in the tournament with the fifth spot-kick.
The country held its breath as Batty stepped up, only for goalkeeper Carlos Roa to make the save to send Argentina through.
Match Details
Rather than collapsing to the turf in tears, or pulling his shirt over his face, Batty held his head high.
When he emerged from the dressing room that night, he even questioned why his friend and agent, Hayden Evans, had come down from the stands to check on him.
It was as if nothing had happened.
Tournament Impact
It was only when a fast food company later wanted Batty to feature in an advert campaign making light of his penalty miss that he showed his feelings.
The angry Yorkshireman did not want to profit off the disappointment of those who had travelled out to the World Cup. No wonder he was a cult figure with supporters.
As England prepare to meet Argentina in the knockout stage of the World Cup once more, we revisit a piece about Batty’s enduring popularity and his low-key retirement.
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