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4 months ago
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The secret to Ivan Toney's incredible penalty record has been revealed after his latest success during England's dramatic shoot-out win over Switzerland.
The Bretford star has an incredible 93 per cent success rate from the spot in regulation time, converting 28 of his 30 attempts in his career.
Toney is famed for his unique two-step run-up but the secret behind his success may stem from his training regime, which involves practising spot-kicks from 13 yards.
As revealed by Bob Jeffrey, a goalkeeping director at Tennessee Soccer Club who worked with Toney in Nashville while he served a ban for betting offences, the striker goes the extra mile in getting himself prepared for the big moments.
'It was fascinating to watch.' He told The Times. 'Because in practice he takes them from 13 yards, not 12 yards.
Ivan Toney fired his penalty into the bottom corner without looking at the ball once after displaying his famed two-step run-up
Bob Jeffrey (middle right) revealed that the striker goes the extra mile in getting himself prepared for the big moments
'I asked him: "Ivan, why are you taking them from 13 yards?" He said, "Well, when it comes to a game, and I take them from 12 yards, the goal looks bigger."'
Toney took England's fourth penalty on Saturday evening after Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham and Bukayo had all scored before him. Before Trent Alexander-Arnold sent the Three Lions into the last-four.
He kept his eyes on Switzerland goalkeeper Yann Sommer the whole time, and even though the shot-stopper guessed the right way, Toney's effort flew past his despairing dive into the bottom corner.
Speaking after the game about his decision to focus on Sommer rather than the ball, Toney told reporters: 'I just do what I always do… step up and roll it into the net.
'I never look at the ball. People might think it’s strange but it’s my routine.'
The 28-year-old also denied feeling any pressure and he certainly didn't seem to be suffering from nerves as fans hailed his composure.
'Toney is the coolest man on the planet. Bro is a villain,' one X user wrote.
Another noted: 'Ivan Toney didn't even look at the ball. He just stared the keeper down.'
England have now reached the semi-finals in three of their last four major tournaments
Toney is viewed as one of the best penalty takers in the Premier League and it was no surprise that he was brought on in extra time to take one.
England return to action on Wednesday when they face the Netherlands in the semi-final after Ronald Koeman's side came from behind to beat Turkey 2-1 on Saturday night.
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