Callum Wilson is tipped to score a penalty should his services be required at the World Cup. England take on Senegal in the last 16, aiming to book a place against France or Senegal next week.
A comfortable group stage saw Gareth Southgate’s side emerge as Group B winners, scoring the most goals while conceding the fewest to progress to the knockout rounds. However, the elimination stages provide a fresh challenge should no team find a winner in regulation time - penalties.
A word that has haunted the British Isles for over thirty years, the Three Lions have a terrible record from 12 yards. Shoot-out heartache is the original sin of football in this country, a monkey that weighs heavily on an England player’s back.
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Last year saw supporters endure the most painful experience of all when England suffered spot-kick defeat against Italy in the Euro 2020 final. Fast forward to the present, however, and Wilson could provide a secret weapon.
Newcastle United’s number nine boasts an exemplary penalty record. He is yet to miss one in black-and-white stripes - scoring all seven since his September 2020 arrival.
An impressive 16 scored out of 19 gives the 30-year-old an 85 per cent accuracy rate from the spot. Just one miss in eight years offers Southgate food for thought should England go the distance against Senegal.
Sky Sports pundit Clinton Morrison - who was a first-team starter when Wilson broke through at Coventry City - backed his former student to deliver on the big stage if required.
“I believe in him,” Morrison said. “I know Callum Wilson and I believe in him. He’s been waiting for this opportunity to go to a World Cup. He’s got confidence in his ability. I know him from when he was at Coventry, he’s a good lad.
“He’ll step up because he has confidence in his ability. And I believe if you’re a centre-forward and you take them for your clubs, you’re confident.”
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