Ivan Toney’s renowned prowess in the art of penalty taking has been extensively researched by many, writes Matthew Pescod.
With a career penalty conversion rate of 93% from 32 penalties (via transfermarkt.com), Toney ranks among the world’s best at shots from the spot.
Despite playing limited minutes at Euro 2024, Toney was chosen as a penalty taker in England’s Quarter-final shootout against Switzerland last Saturday.
Not only did Toney score, his penalty went viral on social media as he stared at Switzerland’s Yann Sommer the entire time.
Whilst viewers concentrated (and rightly so) on Toney’s ‘no-look’ tactic, his short run-up may be the crucial component for success, according to analysis from Marcel Sneifeddine of Total Football Analysis.
“There are two main options — the first being that he waits for the goalkeeper to make the power step one way before putting the ball in the other side of the goal,” said Sneifeddine.
“The other option is to slightly speed up and shoot when it is clear the goalkeeper is waiting for the shot and anticipating the slow walk.
“This can leave the goalkeeper rooted to the spot.”
Toney’s penalty was the best of the bunch, as all five England players converted from the spot.
Saturday’s shootout was the first time England won a Euro’s penalty shootout since 1996, when England beat Spain 4-2 in the Quarter-Finals.
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