Former Sunderland goalkeeper Jordan Pickford produced a brilliant performance as England claimed a thrilling 3-2 win against Mexico.
Jordan Pickford did Sunderland proud once again as the former Black Cats goalkeeper played an integral role in England’s thrilling win in their World Cup finals last-16 clash with Mexico.
The Washington-born stopper and life long Sunderland fan has firmly established himself as Three Lions number one over the last decade and he racked up his 89th cap in some style by producing some stunning saves as Thomas Tuchel’s men landed a quarter-final clash with Norway on Saturday night. Two goals from Jude Bellingham and a Harry Kane penalty helped England edge a five-goal thriller - but Pickford more than earned the praise that has come his way after he made some outstanding saves to help his ten-man side continue their progress at the tournament.
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The Everton star was at it from the off as he made a remarkable save low down to his left to deny Wolves striker Raul Jimenez inside the opening five minutes before arguably surpassing that effort by tipping another header over the bar just before half-time, much to the frustration of the former Fulham frontman. A red card shown to Bayer Leverkusen defender Jarell Quansah left England up against it as they fought on for what would become over 40 minutes with ten men - but Pickford’s commanding and composed performance between the sticks ensured England have now reached the last eight of the World Cup for the third successive finals.
The former Sunderland goalkeeper received major praise from his predecessor as England’s first-choice stopper as Joe Hart revealed his delight over Pickford’s display and he insisted the current Three Lions number one ‘deserves every bit of praise he’s going to get’.
‘Massive saves’
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Joe Hart (photo Getty Images) | Getty Images
The former England international told The Rest is Football podcast: “On Jordan Pickford coming into the England team and being on that world level, I understand why people had their questions over him because he’s not actually physically imposing. He can be erratic in how he behaves. But what has won people over, and rightly so because these are all things around him, he actually has performed even since he came on at this level. When he was at Sunderland, he earned that move to Everton and he makes massive saves for his teams.
“When you get to know him and you get to understand him, people who don’t understand him see all of these antics, touching and rolling around on the floor. That’s what makes him great. It’s not as pleasing on the eye, but that’s Jordan Pickford, he’s not pleasing on the eye, but my god he’s effective, and you can trust him, and in the big moments he wants to stand there and be that guy. That’s massive to have in a team. To be the England number one for so long, and to keep improving and stepping up in a big game, I’m so pleased he had that night tonight and he deserves every bit of praise he’s going to get.”
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