You could look at things like chance conversion stats from open play and compare to penalties and it'd back up the viewpoint that it's harder to score from open play.
The most prolific strikers get what, 0.3 goals per shot or something, if that. Penalties are well over 0.5.
A tap in is easier than a penalty but a mazy dribble or 30 yard volley obviously isn't so in that sense it depends on the goal.
I've played football all my life, if we use being played a through ball and running on to it as the standard open play example (this would imo be the best example and closest to a pen), I would take a penalty over going clean through on goal.
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