GARETH SOUTHGATE will again bring on England subs to take penalties from ‘cold’ if their last-16 clash with Slovakia goes to a shootout.
The Three Lions boss was stung in the final of Euro 2020 when Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford missed spot-kicks against Italy after he brought them on in the last minute of extra-time.
But he is confident enough to bring on specialists like Ivan Toney — yet to play at Euro 2024 — and Cole Palmer just to take penalties if needed.
England are aiming to book a quarter-final against Switzerland and Southgate said: “The players are ready for that scenario if required.
“We’ve a lot more regular penalty- takers for their clubs than three years ago, so there is more experience of that situation.
“Hindsight is the master in those moments, you make decisions for the right reasons at the time with the evidence you have, but you will be the only one who ends up accountable.
“In the World Cup final, Argentina brought on Paulo Dybala at the end of extra-time and he scored in the shootout.
“In the Europa League final in 2021, Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer brought on Alex Telles and Juan Mata in the 123rd minute.
"And they scored, they lost the shootout and he got slaughtered for not changing his goalkeeper!”
Brentford strikerToney has a 93 per cent success rate from the spot, while Chelsea man Palmer has scored all 15 of his penalties as a professional.
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England skipper Harry Kane, who has netted 15 straight penalties since his failure in the 2022 World Cup quarter-final, says he is confident in the spot-kick abilities of himself and his team.
Kane said: “Whenever I miss a penalty, I pride myself on making sure I get on another good run.
“I have a technique I have always used and I don’t change that.
“I look at the keeper and go through what penalty is going to be best in that situation. Then I execute to the best of my ability.
“We have a lot of good penalty-takers compared to the last Euros.
"Players who have taken some in high-pressure penalty shootouts or big games.
“I’m not sure it’s the best group of penalty-takers we’ve ever had but it’s the most experienced.
“If needed, it’s something we’re prepared for.”
Cedogreen1
0
When you’re clueless u become defiant
yaddkosuz
1
Yet to learn from past mistakes, or never wanted to, or trying to say he was right the last time out?
bawelrty
3
This is a signed of defeat. how can you be thinking about penalty so early? This man is weak in the mind.
vuaabdipu
2
This is why keeping Gareth at the helm was a mistake