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There's A Simple Explanation Why Jamie Vardy Didn't Take A Penalty

There's A Simple Explanation Why Jamie Vardy Didn't Take A Penalty

The England forward replaced Raheem Sterling before extra time but didn't step up in the shoot-out against Colombia.

Ryan Sidle

Ryan Sidle

Jamie Vardy was a second half substitute for England on Tuesday night, ahead of Marcus Rashford, but he didn't take a penalty against Colombia to the bemusement of fans watching at home.

England looked certain to go through to the World Cup quarter finals for much of the opening 90 minutes of the game against Colombia on Tuesday night in Moscow.

Gareth Southgate's side were much the better team in the first half and for most of the second half, without creating too many clear cut chances, and were rewarded for their dominance with a penalty around the hour mark.

Harry Kane smashed in his third penalty and sixth goal of the tournament to give England a lead they didn't look like giving up until the last 10 minutes of the 90 and Colombia then equalised in injury time.

After a nervy extra time it went to penalties with Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, Kieran Trippier and Eric Dier all scoring with Jordan Henderson the only man to miss in the Three Lions win.

Lots of fans were soon talking about the fact that Vardy, a regular penalty scorer for Leicester City, hadn't stepped up. According to the Mail the striker was due to take one but an injury prevented him.

Vardy didn't have much luck against Colombia. Image: PA Images
Vardy didn't have much luck against Colombia. Image: PA Images

The paper reports that Vardy would have taken the fifth penalty, ahead of Dier, but he picked up a groin injury in the 95th minute, just seven minutes after coming on, and needed an injection after the match.

The groin injury means that the 31 year old, who has scored 12 of 15 penalties in the last eight seasons, is a doubt for the quarter final against Sweden on Saturday.

Vardy was seen to be limping during the celebrations following Dier's penalty.

Lots of fans had taken to Twitter to call the 2015/16 Premier League winner a 'bottler' but they'll have to take that all back with the latest reports.

Even if Vardy had backed out of taking a penalty it's still better players back out because they aren't feeling confident than take them and mess up because of nerves.

England fans will be hoping he's back to fitness soon.

Featured Image Credit:

Topics: jamie vardy, Football News, Colombia, World Cup news, England, World Cup

Ryan is a writer for SPORTbible. He covers all sport from football, formula one, cricket, rugby, tennis, athletics, mma and wrestling. He obviously hates YOUR football team and has no interest in synchronised swimming.

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@Sidler28