England penalty takers: Who would take a shootout spot-kick against Argentina?
England could face another World Cup penalty shootout in Wednesday’s semi-final against Argentina. Here’s who would be first in line and the Three Lions’ recent shootout record.
England’s World Cup semi-final against Argentina on Wednesday night is expected to be a tight and tense affair given the similar level of each side.
With little separating the two teams, England vs Argentina predictions are struggling to separate the two sides, meaning that extra time and even a penalty shootout cannot be ruled out. That prospect will inevitably stir memories among England supporters, from the heartbreak of defeat to Germany at the 1996 European Championship, to Argentina at the 1998 World Cup and, more recently, to Italy in the Euro 2020 final.
So the question many England fans are thinking is: if Wednesday’s semi-final does go the distance, who would be trusted to step up from 12 yards? Harry Kane remains England’s undisputed first-choice penalty taker, but there are several other reliable options in the squad, as well as more positive recent penalty shootout results in recent years.
Who would take penalties for England against Argentina?
If England’s strongest available players remain on the pitch, this is the most likely penalty order.
1. Harry Kane
There is little debate over England’s first penalty taker. Kane has been England’s designated spot-kick specialist for years and boasts one of the best penalty records in international football.
The captain has repeatedly shown he thrives under pressure and would almost certainly take England’s opening penalty in any shootout against Argentina.
2. Ivan Toney
Few players in world football are as composed from the penalty spot as Ivan Toney.
He has yet to make an appearance at the tournament so far, and he will not start the semi-final, but Toney has built a reputation as one of the game’s most clinical penalty takers – one of the main reasons Thomas Tuchel called him up to the squad.
His distinctive technique, which often involves delaying his strike until the goalkeeper commits, has produced an outstanding conversion rate throughout his career.
If England are heading towards penalties, he will almost certainly be introduced late in extra time.
3. Jude Bellingham
Bellingham confidently converted during England’s successful Euro 2024 shootout against Switzerland and has never looked fazed by the biggest occasions. He enters the semi-final at the peak of his game, mentally and physically, and would certainly not shy away from another spot-kick.
The Real Madrid midfielder has good technique and remarkable composure, and would be expected to take one of England’s first five penalties.
4. Bukayo Saka
Saka’s redemption story from the spot is one of England’s most memorable recent moments.
After missing the decisive penalty in the Euro 2020 final defeat to Italy, the Arsenal winger responded by confidently converting during the Euro 2024 shootout victory over Switzerland.
He has been regularly taking penalties for Arsenal over the years, and remains one of England’s most trusted options. The only doubt is whether he will stay on the pitch until the end given his recent fitness struggles.
5. Marcus Rashford
Marcus Rashford may not start against Argentina, with Anthony Gordon having started ahead of him for most of the tournament, but if introduced from the bench he would likely be among England’s designated takers.
The Manchester United forward has extensive experience from the penalty spot and has shown throughout his career that he is comfortable taking responsibility in high-pressure moments.
Gordon is another capable option if he remains on the pitch. The winger scored multiple penalties for Newcastle in the Champions League last season. Although Rashford would probably move ahead of him in the pecking order should both be available.
Other potential England penalty takers
Outside of the likely top five, there are plenty of other reliable penalty-taking options for England. As mentioned before, Anthony Gordon has become a penalty expert at Newcastle.
Reece James has fine technique from set pieces and would unlikely shy away from a spot-kick, while Noni Madueke has previously scored penalties in his time at Chelsea – although he shied away from taking one in the Champions League final for Arsenal.
Declan Rice is a fine striker of the ball and, despite not being a regular taker, he scored in the shootout for Arsenal against PSG in May.
And, ultimately, Jordan Pickford – who has been a penalty-saving hero for England in recent years – has the nerve and striking technique to take a penalty. The Everton goalkeeper rifled a penalty into the top corner in a Nations League shootout win over Switzerland in 2019.
England’s likely first five penalty takers
| Order | Player | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harry Kane | England’s first-choice penalty taker and captain. |
| 2 | Ivan Toney | One of the most clinical penalty specialists in football. |
| 3 | Jude Bellingham | Scored in England’s Euro 2024 shootout against Switzerland. |
| 4 | Bukayo Saka | Arsenal penalty taker who redeemed himself at Euro 2024. |
| 5 | Marcus Rashford | Experienced penalty taker likely to feature if introduced from the bench. |
England penalty shootout record
England’s relationship with penalty shootouts has changed dramatically over the past decade, after multiple traumas of years gone by.
For many years, shootouts were synonymous with disappointment, with painful defeats to Germany, Argentina, Portugal and Italy creating the belief that England simply could not win from the spot.
That changed at the 2018 World Cup when Gareth Southgate’s side beat Colombia on penalties in the round of 16, securing England’s first-ever World Cup shootout victory.
They followed that by defeating Switzerland at Euro 2024, further reinforcing their growing confidence from 12 yards.
| Opponent | Competition | Round | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Switzerland | Euro 2024 | Quarter-final | Won 5-3 |
| Italy | Euro 2020 | Final | Lost 3-2 |
| Colombia | World Cup 2018 | Round of 16 | Won 4-3 |
| Italy | Euro 2012 | Quarter-final | Lost 4-2 |
| Portugal | World Cup 2006 | Quarter-final | Lost 3-1 |
| Portugal | Euro 2004 | Quarter-final | Lost 6-5 |
| Argentina | World Cup 1998 | Round of 16 | Lost 4-3 |
Despite the improved record, England supporters still remember the Euro 2020 final defeat to Italy, when Saka, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho all missed from the spot. Older fans will also recall the heartbreaking World Cup defeat to Argentina in 1998 and the Euro 96 semi-final loss to Germany at Wembley.
Could England vs Argentina go to penalties?
Many expect Wednesday’s semi-final to be one of the closest matches of the tournament according to the latest England vs Argentina odds.
England have already shown they can come through tight knockout ties, requiring extra time to beat both Norway and Mexico, while Argentina have once again demonstrated why they remain one of the most difficult teams in world football to break down.
With a place in the World Cup final at stake, neither side is expected to take unnecessary risks early in the contest. If the scores remain level after 90 minutes, extra time could once again be required before penalties become a possibility.
England’s recent record suggests they would approach a shootout with far more confidence than previous generations. The Three Lions now possess several experienced penalty takers throughout the squad, while players such as Kane, Toney, Bellingham and Saka have repeatedly shown they can handle the pressure.
Should England overcome Argentina, they would move one step closer to lifting their first World Cup in 60 years.
The hope will be that the semi-final is settled long before penalties are needed. But if Wednesday’s showdown does go all the way, England fans should believe that they have one of the strongest groups of penalty takers they have taken into a major tournament in years.
