Joe Willock has told friends Bukayo Saka and Jadon Sancho to keep their heads up after the pair both missed penalties in England's heartbreaking Euro 2020 final shootout defeat against Italy.
The Three Lions were bidding to end 55 years of hurt at Wembley on Sunday night after reaching the final of a major tournament for the first time since 1966.
Luke Shaw gave the hosts a dream start after firing home with just two minutes on the clock, but Leonardo Bonucci equalised for the resurgent Azzurri midway through the second half.
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There was ultimately nothing to separate the two sides, even after half an hour of extra time, so the tense final was settled on penalties.
Gareth Southgate had spot-kicks very much in mind when the England boss introduced Marcus Rashford and Sancho, who are both regular takers at club level, from the bench in the 120th minute while another substitute, Saka, bravely ended up taking England's fifth penalty.
However, the young trio ended up missing their penalties as the Italians lifted the Henri Delaunay Trophy for the second time in the country's history.
It takes a lot of courage to step up in a shootout but Rashford, Sancho and Saka were all subjected to disgusting racial abuse on their social media pages after the game, which is being investigated by the Metropolitan Police.
Those closest to Saka, Rashford and Sancho have been understandably keen to support the trio and Willock, who, of course, enjoyed a remarkable loan spell at Newcastle United last season, is no different.
Willock is good friends with both Sancho and Saka, his Arsenal team-mate, and the Londoner took to Instagram on Monday to pay tribute to his pals.
In his first Instagram story, which was a photograph of Sancho's reaction after missing his penalty, Willock wrote: "My brother, we love you. Keep your head up. You have made us all so proud."
In his second upload, which was a photograph of Willock and Saka celebrating a goal together for Arsenal, the midfielder wrote: "Your bravery has inspired all of us. We are with you bro. Keep your head up."
