Later, he scored in the dreaded penalty shootout, sending England into the semifinals and, in that moment, banishing the memories of three years ago, when he and two other black players missed their spot kicks in the Euros final, ending hopes of glory over Italy and sparking a vicious racist backlash. “His mental capacity to almost push that aside and show people, ‘actually, I’m one of the best footballers that there is around,” said ex-player and anti-discrimination educator Troy Townsend.
That day, he was England’s best player.
However, the staff at Greenford’s Edward Betham C of E Primary School is not taken aback.
“He has an amazing support system around him and comes from a great family,” said Leigh Curtin, his former football coach.
“He received a lot of support, which demonstrated that you can rise above your circumstances and he has demonstrated that.”
It was incredible to witness him put the penalty away on Saturday and drive out the ghost of three years ago.
