Gareth Southgate has backed Marcus Rashford to score in a penalty shoot-out should his services be required. An impressive start to the World Cup has the Manchester United forward sitting joint top in the goalscoring charts, with three to his name.
Two well-taken strikes - including a 25-yard free-kick - brushed Wales aside in midweek to fire England into the last 16. Rashford has continued his Old Trafford purple patch on the biggest stage of all and, despite being named on the bench in the first two games, he may start against Senegal.
The knockout stages pose a new threat that fills players and suppers with dread - penalties. Games can no longer be drawn and, if teams are level after 120 minutes, a 12-yard lottery will decide who goes through.
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Last summer, Rashford missed a crucial spot-kick as the Three Lions lost the Euro 2020 final to Italy on penalties. Alongside Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka, the 25-year-old suffered vile racial abuse online after the match.
Fast forward to the present and England boss Southgate has no qualms over picking Rashford to deliver from the spot. He told ITV: “Absolutely (Rashford is ready to take a penalty). Players have been in that situation before and Marcus is one of the best penalty-takers in the world. Statistically, he's an 85 per cent person, but even the best miss 15 per cent. So in the end, you've got to trust your players that they're going to deliver in those big moments.
“Marcus (scored) two goals in our last game, (has a) smile back on his face… happy playing with England. For me, there is no need for redemption. We’ve got to focus on the football and not be distracted by what might happen if we go 120 minutes.”
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