George Baker
Gareth Southgate explains why Rashford and Jadon Sancho took the penalties
Gareth Southgate explained why Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho took the penalties for England in their defeat to Italy (h/t MEN). The England manager took the responsibility of deciding on the spot-kick takers and nobody was left to decide for themselves.
It ended in heartbreak for England as their wait for a major trophy continues at least until next year. 120 minutes of back and forth could not separate England and Italy at Wembley as the game went to a tie-breaker.
Despite Italy’s two misses, it was England’s last three misses that ultimately cost them the Euros. Southgate had brought on Rashford and Sancho for penalty duties right at the end of extra-time as both have experience in that regard for their clubs.
Southgate explained why the Manchester United duo took those penalties
However, both failed to convert their shots as Rashford hit the post and Donnarumma saved Sancho’s kick. The game was sealed when Saka too had his spot-kick saved. The England manager went on to explain the decision to allow the Manchester United duo to take those penalties.
“I decided on the penalty takers based on what they’d done in training and nobody is on their own. We’ve won together as a team and it’s absolutely on all of us in terms of not being able to win the game tonight, but in terms of the penalties that’s my call and it totally rests with me.”
“We were well-prepared and started well but unfortunately the guys weren’t able to convert tonight. They can’t look at themselves in terms of how they’ve practiced because they couldn’t have done that any more or any better.”
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There’s no use pointing the finger at anyone as penalties is really a game of chances. Sometimes they go your way, sometimes they don’t. All three players will have to take it in their stride and strive to reach greater heights. The whole side fought well to reach the final and that is a great feat.
