Ivan Toney has described his first England goal as “very special”, after the Three Lions fought back twice to draw 2-2 against Belgium in a friendly.
Toney scored England’s first equaliser in the 17th minute after he had been fouled by Jan Vertonghen either side of Youri Tielemans’ first-half brace for the Belgians, before Jude Bellingham’s last-gasp goal snatched a draw for the Three Lions.
“It’s very special to get on the scoresheet,” Toney commented in a post match interview with Sky Sports. “It would have been a little downer if we’d lost the game, but Jude [Bellingham] got something for us.”
On his calmly composed penalty after a three-minute delay due to a Video-Assistant Referee (VAR) check, Toney said: “I always stay calm from the penalty spot. I take my time and walk away with the ball.
“The keeper was trying to come out and put me off, and some of their players were coming over, but I stayed calm and made the keeper wait for me and slotted it in the back of the net.”
Having been an unused substitute in the defeat to Brazil, Toney is hopeful that he has impressed manager, Gareth Southgate enough to claim a spot in England’s Euro 2024 squad, but has vowed to keep supporting his teammates – especially his rival, Ollie Watkins.
“I hope I did,” quipped Toney. “I’m always going to work hard and support the boys.
“Ollie [Watkins] is my competition, but it’s friendly competition and I wish him all the best every time he goes on the pitch. I felt like I did well today and hopefully I’ve given myself a good chance to put my name forward and be there for the Euros.”
Toney’s maiden international goal at senior level also came exactly one year to the day that he made his debut in a 2-0 win over Ukraine, coincidentally at Wembley Stadium, London.
“Peter Beardsley messaged me this morning and said that I’d made my debut a year ago today. It makes it extra special, a year later, that I’m here starting and scoring a goal.”
The Brentford striker also feels that playing for England is “easier” when surrounded by “top-class players” like Bellingham and Phil Foden.
“For the penalty, Jude just slid the ball down the corner. And I had Phil [Foden] playing into my feet and running off me. It’s a joy to play with these players, so hopefully I can play with them a lot more.”
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