Ice Cold Confidence: Rashford’s No-Look Penalty for Aston Villa Goes Viral
- Marcus Rashford scored a sensational no-look penalty in Aston Villa’s 3-0 win over Preston in the FA Cup quarter-finals
- With Rashford leading the way, Aston Villa is emerging as a serious contender for the 2024/25 FA Cup
- Unai Emery and his team are also in the quarterfinals of the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League
Aston Villa’s 3-0 victory over Preston North End in the FA Cup quarter-finals will be remembered for a number of standout moments, but none more iconic than Marcus Rashford’s audacious no-look penalty.
The Manchester United forward, currently on loan to Villa, scored twice in the game, including the remarkable penalty that has taken the internet by storm, and according to the BBC, Villa are yet to make a decision on his future.
The win ensures Villa’s place in the FA Cup semifinals, and with the team already making waves in European football, their momentum is unstoppable.
Source: Getty Images
Marcus Rashford’s brilliance on display
Marcus Rashford’s performance in Villa's 3-0 triumph against Preston was a testament to his skill and confidence on the pitch. The England international netted two goals in quick succession, both of which came in the second half.
His first goal, a clinical finish, opened the scoring in the 58th minute, while his second, a penalty in the 63rd, has become the focal point of conversation as Dango Ouattara's amazing spot kick against Wolves generated widespread discussion earlier this month.
The penalty, however, was anything but conventional. With a calmness that belied the high stakes of the match, Rashford approached the spot kick without even glancing at the ball. Instead, he focused on the goalkeeper before calmly placing the ball into the bottom corner of the net.
His no-look penalty has since gone viral, with fans and pundits alike praising his audacity and precision. The viral video has dominated social media, further cementing Rashford’s status as one of the most exciting players in world football.
Read also
Asamoah Gyan returns to Ghana after Black Stars' wins, shares money to Airport Staff: Video
Watch Marcus Rashford's no-look penalty in the video below.
Aston Villa’s dream run in the FA Cup
Aston Villa’s win over Preston marks an important milestone in their FA Cup campaign under manager Unai Emery. The victory propelled them into the semifinals of the prestigious tournament, where they will now face Crystal Palace.
The last-four clash promises to be an exciting contest, with both teams in excellent form this season as Manchester City are up against Nottingham Forest in the other semi-finals pairing.
Source: Getty Images
Villa’s Champions League ambitions
While their FA Cup journey is certainly a highlight, Aston Villa’s aspirations extend far beyond domestic competitions. The club is also enjoying a stellar campaign in the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League, where they have made it to the quarterfinals.
In an exciting draw, Villa has been paired with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in what promises to be a thrilling two-legged encounter.
Villa’s impressive progress in Europe has turned heads, and their ability to compete at the highest level has raised expectations. With Rashford continuing to shine and a squad brimming with talent, Villa will enter the Champions League clash against PSG with confidence.
A potential victory over the French giants could send shockwaves across Europe and position Villa as genuine contenders for the prestigious trophy.
Pep Guardiola hit with EPL sanction
YEN.com.gh earlier reported the Premier League suspension of Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola who will miss his team's next EPL match against Jordan Ayew's Leicester City on April 2.
The ex-Barcelona boss was handed his third booking of the season in their FA Cup win against Bournemouth on Sunday.
New feature: Сheck out news that is picked for YOU ➡️ click on “Recommended for you” and enjoy!
Proofreading by Samuel Gitonga, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
Gariba Raubil (Sports Editor) Gariba Raubil is a skilled content writer and journalist with over 14 years of experience in sports journalism. He is a CAF and FIFA-accredited reporter and has been a member of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) since 2020. He has covered several international tournaments including two All Africa Games in 2015 and 2023. He also reported on the 2017 CAF Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon and the 2018 Women’s AFCON. Email: gariba.raubil@yen.com.gh
Samuel Gitonga (Copy editor) Samuel Gitonga is a Copy Editor at YEN.com.gh. He holds a Bachelor of Broadcast Journalism Degree from the Multimedia University of Kenya. He has over 7 years’ experience in the digital journalism industry. He started out his career at the Kenya News Agency and proceeded to work for several reputable media outlets in Nairobi.
