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England penalty takers: Who will take a penalty if Euro 2024 final goes to shootout?
England take on Spain in the Euro 2024 final, having already faced a penalty shootout in the tournament.
England booked their place in the Euro 2024 final after overcoming the Netherlands on Wednesday night. And they will take on three-time champions Spain at the Olympiastadion in Berlin in the showpiece event this evening.
The Three Lions were forced to come from behind for the third match in a row to taste victory over the Netherlands after Xavi Simons had opened the scoring just seven minutes in.
Harry Kane struck from the spot 11 minutes later, with Ollie Watkins bagging the winner at the death.
All of England’s matches at Euro 2024 have proven to be close affairs, with Gareth Southgate’s team needing a penalty shootout to see off Switzerland in the quarter-finals.
The Three Lions were also involved in a shootout at the end of the Euro 2020 final as they lost to Italy. And the team will have prepared for another shootout tonight. So who could step up if the match goes all the way to spot kicks?
Possible England penalty shootout takers
1. Harry Kane
2. Cole Palmer
3. Jude Bellingham
4. Bukayo Saka
5. Ivan Toney
6. Trent Alexander-Arnold
7. Eberechi Eze
8. Jarrod Bowen
Harry Kane wasn’t on the pitch for the shootout against Switzerland, having been replaced by Ivan Toney during extra time. But he is likely to step up first tonight in the event of a shootout provided he is not substituted.
Southgate could then stick with the order he went with against Switzerland with Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka and Ivan Toney completing the first five.
Palmer and Toney will almost certainly start on the bench against Spain, which means the manager would have to bring them on before extra time comes to an end to ensure they can take penalties.
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If the teams still can’t be separated after five kicks apiece, Trent Alexander-Arnold could be next in line. The Liverpool right-back was the match-winner in the last-eight as he lashed England’s fifth kick into the top corner.
Eberechi Eze and Jarrod Bowen also have a proven track record from 12 yards so would surely jump at the chance to help their team over the line if it comes to it.
The duo, as well as Alexander-Arnold, are also likely to be off the pitch at kick-off, so their inclusion in the shootout would have to be orchestrated by Southgate later into the match.
Ollie Watkins is another player who is used to taking penalties, although he has been inconsistent from the spot. And he could step-up ahead of Kieran Trippier, Declan Rice and Kyle Walker if the shootout drags on.