Ivan Toney sends Gareth Southgate message after netting crucial England penalty

England are into the semi-finals of Euro 2024 after a penalty shootout victory over Switzerland, with Ivan Toney stepping from the bench and burying his chance – now he wants to start

Ivan Toney has admitted he’s been getting impatient (
Image: Getty Images)

Ivan Toney says he’s been getting impatient at Euro 2024 – after another vital contribution for England.

Toney, who assisted Harry Kane’s winner against Slovakia in the last 16, netted his pressure penalty without even looking at the ball to help down Switzerland in Dusseldorf.

And now he’s pushing Kane for a starting berth in the semi-finals, stating: “I’m happy to play my part. Patience is key.

“I’m very impatient but I’ve had to be patient during this tournament. I know my time will come, whether that’s coming off the bench, starting or taking a penalty. I’ve just got to be ready for the time.”

Toney was one of five successful England penalty takers but the pressure didn’t bother him – even if like Trent Alexander-Arnold, he was subbed on purely to take a spot-kick.

The Brentford frontman said: “Biggest pressure? I wouldn’t say pressure. I always have my own routine, focus, and do what I always do. I take my time and roll it into the back of the net.

“I never look at the ball. It’s my routine, it’s what I do. Some people might think it’s crazy but my routine is working and hopefully it can continue working.

“We all back ourselves from penalties and if it comes to it, we have enough takers. I had confidence in all the boys and we deserved it in the end.

“Before coming on I was thinking: Make sure I score my penalty [laughs]. I felt like there was going to be another chance.

England celebrate beating Switzerland on penalties after Trent Alexander-Arnold scored the winner ( 
Image:
Getty Images)
“That didn’t happen but we had belief in the shootout. Picks made a great save to get us going and it was up to the other boys to do the rest.”

Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford also played his part – saving Manuel Akanji’s penalty. Pickford said: “We went into the trenches, that is what the Euros is about. A massive credit to the lads that took the penalties and executed them.”

Italian referee Daniele Orsato tried his best to stop Pickford’s disruptive goal-line antics after the Everton shot-stopper also taped tips to his water bottle.

Pickford concluded: “I thought I hid it well but obviously not. I did my process, the referee stopped me doing what I normally do and I still managed to save one and give the lads an opportunity. He was going to boot me if I wasn’t back on the line – I had to play the game a little bit.”

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