Ivan Toney underlined his World Cup potential by scoring a hat-trick in England’s behind-closed-doors practice match against Miami FC this week, putting himself firmly in the frame for Thomas Tuchel’s plans. The 30-year-old striker, who served an eight-month betting ban before leaving the Premier League for the Saudi Pro League, has been earmarked as one of England’s “finishers” and is now a penalty specialist, with Tuchel expecting two shoot-outs if England are to win the tournament. Toney’s comeback has been helped by Tuchel’s assistant Justin Cochrane, who persuaded the England boss to give him another look despite a so-so season at Al Ahli, where he scored 42 goals. Harry Kane has given Toney a glowing reference, and the former Brentford man already proved his worth at the Euros, coming off the bench to set up Jude Bellingham’s last-gasp equaliser against Slovakia and scoring in the subsequent shoot-out.
While Toney fights for his place, Olivier Giroud, now a BBC Sport pundit after retiring from international football with France, has pointed to his former Chelsea and AC Milan teammate Christian Pulisic as the key to USA’s hopes. “I was not surprised at how well he played against Paraguay because I think that he has got what it takes to take the US team to the next level over the next few weeks,” Giroud said, “hopefully the calf problem that meant he came off at half-time is nothing serious.” At Milan, the squad called Pulisic ‘Captain America’ because even without the armband he was their star player. Giroud noted the pressure on Pulisic, who became the youngest captain in US men’s national team history at age 20. The USA will need him fit if they are to advance deep into the tournament.
“Ivan Toney scores hat-trick in England practice match; Giroud backs Pulisic as key to USA's World Cup hopes.”