The last-16 tie with Senegal turned out to be a breeze, but as England approach their World Cup quarter-final clash with France one thing will be in the back of their mind. Penalties.
After Euro 2020 joined World Cup 2006, Euro 2004, France ‘98, Euro ‘96 and Italia ‘90 in the list of heartbreaking spot-kick endings for the Three Lions, thoughts turn to how we can avoid tears from 12 yards this time around.
Here, we’ve crunched the numbers to find out who should be stepping up after 120 minutes.
1 - Harry Kane (87% conversion rate)
England’s captain will no doubt step up to take the first penalty for his country. He is the designated penalty-taker, and scored first up in shootouts against Italy at Euro 2020 and Colombia in 2018. He can get the Three Lions off to a perfect start.
His conversion rate is 87%, the highest in the squad, having scored 60 of the 67 penalties he has taken across his career. An absolute no brainer for Gareth Southgate.
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2 - Harry Maguire (83.3%)
As we saw in the Euro 2020 final, Harry Maguire is a man for the big moments. Not only is he almost certain to be on the pitch for the whole game, he is actually an excellent penalty-taker. He rifled the one against Italy into the top corner, and has scored five out of six for club and country. We are backing him to step up again.
3 - Marcus Rashford (82.3%)
Rashford missed England’s third penalty in the final, his effort striking the upright, but he is statistically one of England’s best. He’s scored 14 of 17 spot-kicks in total, including one conversion against Colombia in 2018, and is confident when it comes to taking penalties in big scenarios. The Manchester United man should certainly be a contender.
4 - Callum Wilson (85%)
One man who you may not expect to be on this list is Newcastle United striker Callum Wilson. He is now the designated taker for his club and has scored 17 from 20 attempts. Only Harry Kane has a better conversation rate of those players in the England squad who have taken five or more, so he could be an option from the bench.
It remains to be seen if Southgate will bring specialist penalty-takers off the bench given what happened in last year’s final, but if he does Wilson could be near the top of the list. We have got him taking the fourth kick.
5 - Jordan Pickford (100%)
Jordan Pickford is England’s king of penalties. Not only will he definitely be on the pitch when it comes down to it - injury permitting - he is also one of the most confident members of this England squad. He’s only taken one penalty at senior level, smashing his effort into the top corner against Switzerland in the Uefa Nations League, but he has always looked like he is in control in these situations.
Pickford wouldn’t have to deal with the nervy walk from the halfway line and these situations are so much about confidence that England’s main man would relish this scenario. He could make a crucial save and step up to fire in the winner, or take the responsibility to keep the Three Lions in the tournament.
The best of the rest…
6) Bukayo Saka (75%)
So nearly the fifth taker, we would all love to see Saka overcome his miss from last year’s final. He’s scored three from three for Arsenal since and could take Pickford’s place if he is still on the pitch.
7) Eric Dier (80%)
Did it against Colombia, and has a good penalty record, having scored four out of five. He’d be trusted by Southgate to take one if called upon.
8) Trent Alexander-Arnold (100%)
Trent has a 100% record from the spot having scored three from three and is one of England’s best strikers of the ball. There are some reservations about bringing him on to take one given his lack of playing time at this tournament, but he can find the net.
The squad
Kyle Walker, John Stones, Luke Shaw, Conor Gallagher and Jude Bellingham (1 from 1, 100%)
Kalvin Phillips (3 from 4, 75%)
James Maddison (10 from 14, 71.4%)
Mason Mount (7 from 10, 70%)
Jack Grealish (2 from 2, 67%)
Kieran Trippier (3 from 5, 60%)
Phil Foden (1 from 2, 50%)
Raheem Sterling (6 from 12, 50%)
Conor Coady (2 from 4, 50%)
Jordan Henderson (1 from 3, 33%)
Declan Rice (1 from 3, 33%)
