Ivan Toney vows to stick to ‘crazy’ no-look penalty technique for England at Euro 2024

Ivan Toney insists he did not feel the pressure when stepping up to take a penalty against Switzerland and says he will stick to his ballsy ‘no-look' routine.

Toney scored one of five nerveless England penalties as Gareth Southgate's side beat the Swiss 5-3 on spot-kicks to set up a European Championship semi-final against the Netherlands on Wednesday.

With penalties looming, Brentford striker replaced captain Harry Kane deep into extra-time, and did not look at the ball before calmly finding the bottom corner, despite Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer going the right way.

Asked what was going through his head when he came on for the England captain, Toney said: "Make sure I score my penalty!

"I felt like there was going to be another chance like the last game but it didn't happen. But we all believed in the penalty shootout and Picks made a great save to get us going. It was up to the boys to do the rest.

"I wouldn't say [I felt] pressure. I always have my own routine, I'm just focussed and do what I always do: just take my time and roll it into the back of the net.

"I never look at the ball. It's just my routine. Some people may see it as crazy but that's my routine and I'm going to stick to it. It's been working and it can work whenever it's needed.

"I'm happy to play my part and patience is key. I'm very impatient but I've had to be patient during this tournament. I know my time will come, whether it's coming off the bench, starting or taking a penalty.

"The belief's always been there. After the last game, it would have been pretty pointless to go out in this game given how hard we've worked and the character we've showed. We've just got to use the momentum kicking forward. Hopefully it'll take us to the end."

The game finished 1-1, with Bukayo Saka's brilliant strike cancelling out Breel Embolo's opener before England dug-in during extra-time.

Cole Palmer opened the shootout with a characteristically cool penalty and Jordan Pickford saved Switzerland's first effort from Manuel Akanji.

Jude Bellinghan, Saka and Trent Alexander-Arnold also made no mistake from the spot, as England won a third shootout in four attempts under Southgate, justifying the manager's belief in the squad's "process".

"Looking back, they weren't [saveable]," Toney added. "That's the quality we have. We all back ourselves on penalties and if it goes to them we have enough takers to take one."

Asked what Southgate had told the players afterwards, Toney said: "'Well done. Let's go.' There was one more word but I can't say it!"