Three Ireland players fluffed their lines from the spot on Sunday to send Spain into the quarter-finals, though two Spaniards also failed to convert their penalties in a typically tension-filled shoot-out.
If Spain will have the most recent experience, England are the team likely to be haunted by the biggest shoot-out demons having been eliminated from their last two World Cups on penalties, by Argentina in the second round four years ago and in the 1990 semi-final by Germany.
England assistant coach Steve McClaren is confident the squad will be well prepared going into today's match against Brazil.
"We practised penalties before the tournament began and we will certainly be looking at it over the next few days," he said last week. "World Cup history has proved one penalty can take you through or send you home."
Turkey, meanwhile, who meet Senegal in their first ever World Cup quarter-final, have openly admitted they are concerned about the prospect of a shoot-out.
"We have a little bit of a worry there," said coach Senol Gunes. "I can say that we are a little bit negative on that issue. We did some practice on it but I'm not sure how much it will help."
The Turks have never taken part in a shoot-out at a major tournament but at least Senegal will also be new to the experience of the playing in the last eight of the World Cup.
Germany have traditionally been the shoot-out strongmen, winning one 5-4 against France at the 1982 World Cup, and knocking England out of the 1990 tournament in Italy and Euro 96, where Gareth Southgate's failure left the host nation devastated.
German players have taken 13 penalties in World Cup shoot-outs, with Uli Stielike the only one to fail to score when his effort was saved in the 1982 win over France.
If the Germans' quarter-final against the US does go to spot-kicks, the Americans will certainly be the underdogs in terms of experience.
All of which leaves four times champions and tournament favourites Brazil.
Although the shoot-out would not be the preferred manner for most Brazilians to win matches, they were more than happy to secure their last World Cup eight years ago in the United States by holding their nerve to edge out Italy in a shoot-out.
When Roberto Baggio sent the ball over the crossbar the inspirational Italian forward's name was added to a long list of famous players who failed to handle the unique pressures of the shoot-out.