July 13, 2021

I’ve had a difficult season, I think that’s been clear for everyone to see and I probably went into that final with a lack of confidence. I’ve always backed myself for a penalty, but something didn’t feel quite right. During the long run-up I was saving myself a bit of time and unfortunately the result was not what I wanted.

England forward Marcus Rashford has apologised after missing a penalty during England’s Euro 2020 final defeat by Italy on Sunday, while expressing pride in the team’s achievements at the tournament, and his background as “a 23 year old, black man from Withington and Wythenshawe, South Manchester”.

The Manchester brought up wondered why he could not score on Sunday when it mattered most, saying he can score penalty even in his sleep.

The Manchester United player, who received racial abuse on social media after the match along with teammates Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka, also posted letters of support he has received from fans after England’s heartbreaking defeat.

In a heart-rending message on Twitter, Rashford wrote: “I don’t even know where to start and I don’t even know how to put into words how I am feeling at this exact time. I’ve had a difficult season, I think that’s been clear for everyone to see and I probably went into that final with a lack of confidence. I’ve always backed myself for a penalty, but something didn’t feel quite right. During the long run-up I was saving myself a bit of time and unfortunately the result was not what I wanted.

“I felt as though I had let my team-mates down. I felt as if I’d let everyone down. A penalty was all I’d been asked to contribute for the team. I can score penalties in my sleep, so why not that one? It’s been playing in my head over and over since I struck the ball and there’s probably not a word to quite describe how it feels. Final. 55 years. 1 penalty. History. All I can say is sorry. I wish it had gone differently.”