Euro 2020: Marcus Rashford’s missed penalty for England is blasted by Rafael van der Vaart

‘You can just take a normal run-up can’t you?’: Rafael van der Vaart delivers scathing verdict on Marcus Rashford’s ‘interesting’ missed penalty during Euro 2020 final defeat by Italy


Rafael van der Vaart has hit out at Marcus Rashford’s penalty technique, after the Manchester United forward hit the post during England’s shootout defeat to Italy.

Italy were crowned European champions after Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka all failed to convert from the spot. Rashford side-stepped from the centre of the goal to the left, then stuttered his run-up and sent Gianluigi Donnarumma the wrong way – but his shot cannoned off the post.

Former Netherlands, Tottenham and Real Madrid star Van der Vaart delivered a scathing verdict into Rashford’s penalty, saying he should have done a more ‘normal’ run-up.

Marcus Rashford made a stuttered run-up before missing his penalty against Italy in the final

He sent Gianluigi Donnarumma the wrong way but his shot hit the post and bounced clear

He sent Gianluigi Donnarumma the wrong way but his shot hit the post and bounced clear

Rashford was one of three England players to miss spot-kicks during their shootout defeat

Rashford was one of three England players to miss spot-kicks during their shootout defeat

As reported by Dutch website Voetbalzone, he said on Dutch TV:  ‘They’re young and I don’t think it’s that sad. 

‘You can just take a normal run-up, can’t you? It’s all a little interesting. If you already know you have to go left, you might as well stand there, right? That’s good, then. He has a good kick… well.’

Fellow analyst Marco van Basten was less critical of the Manchester United forward, stating: ‘He does everything right but he shoots against the post.’ 

Rafael van der Vaart has hit out at Rashford's penalty technique for not being 'normal'

Rafael van der Vaart has hit out at Rashford’s penalty technique for not being ‘normal’

England had the advantage at that point of the shootout after Andrea Belotti had Italy’s second penalty saved by Jordan Pickford.

Rashford, who was brought on solely to take a penalty, could have put England 3-2 ahead. 

Sancho and Saka then missed the following kicks, with Italy taking the win 3-2 after Federico Bernardeschi scored from the spot.  

Former Dutch international and pundit Rene van der Gijp also criticised Rashford as he said:  ‘Those three misses, man. Rashford will take them at Manchester United.

‘Would he decide to take such a run-up as he walks towards it? Or would he have that in his head? He almost comes to a stop two or three times during his run-up.

‘Have you ever seen him take a penalty like that? It goes wrong, and then Sancho does it again. I think that’s crazy.’