Ivan Toney is out there starting for England in the World Cup third-place match, and if you told someone a few years ago that would happen, they’d have laughed you out of the room. England’s squad is obviously gutted to be playing for third, but this is a massive moment for Toney, especially with Harry Kane getting some much-needed rest. This comeback feels unbelievable, considering where he was not too long ago.
A Comeback Nobody Saw Coming
Let’s be real, this guy’s journey back to the big stage has been wild. It wasn’t that long ago, back in May 2023, when Toney got hit with a massive suspension for 232 breaches of the Football Association’s betting rules. That came right after he’d smashed in a 20-goal season for Brentford. Talk about a gut punch. But here’s the kicker: Thomas Tuchel, the England coach, clearly saw something special in Toney. He’d called him up multiple times since the ban ended, showing real faith in the striker.
Earning His Shot, Goal by Goal
Toney didn’t just walk back onto the squad, he *earned* it. He was in the mix for the 2024 European Championships, remember? He even assisted on a Harry Kane winner in extra time during the Round of 16 and nailed his penalty when England advanced past Switzerland in that intense shootout. He’s been grinding and scoring goals in the Saudi Pro League, and that’s exactly what got him the call-up from Tuchel for this World Cup. England has always seemed a bit light on obvious secondary striker options beyond Kane, who was basically the go-to man in every single match before their semi-final loss. But now, Toney gets his moment.
It might not be the World Cup Final, and yeah, playing for third place isn’t exactly glamorous, but don’t sleep on this. Toney starting a World Cup match after everything he’s been through? That’s a serious statement. He’s back, and it’s a hell of a comeback story, no matter what happens in this match.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
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