Christopher Beesley has his say on Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford's display in England's 3-2 World Cup win over Mexico
Jordan Pickford celebrates after his starring role in England's World Cup last-16 win over Mexico
Jordan Pickford celebrates after his starring role in England's World Cup last-16 win over Mexico
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Over 40 years on from Diego Maradona’s brazen cheating (then brilliance), England exorcised their demons at the Azteca Stadium thanks to inspiration from ‘The hand of Jord.’
Back on June 22, 1986, one of Jordan Pickford’s most illustrious predecessors in goal for the Three Lions, Peter Shilton, was left outfoxed by Maradona’s blatant handball and incandescent that Tunisian referee Ali Bin Nasser somehow failed to spot the incident as the Argentinian player – some eight inches shorter than his opponent – put his side ahead by punching the ball into the net in a piece of skulduggery where VAR would for once have been welcomed.
There was no ambiguity about Maradona’s second some four minutes later though as the diminutive football genius dribbled past five England players – including Everton legend Peter Reid – before slotting in what became known as the “goal of the century.”
Gary Lineker, who had just netted 40 goals in what proved to be his only season at Goodison Park, reduced arrears to ensure he scooped the tournament’s Golden Boot ahead of his transfer to Barcelona, but the damage was done, not just for the Three Lions’ hopes that summer but psychologically for the next four decades.
Until now and until an often much (unfairly) maligned figure from outside the Everton bubble stepped forward into one of the game’s fiercest cauldrons.
Unlike those bleary-eyed armchair fans who stayed up late to his exploits through the wee small hours back home – including a 60-minute delay to kick-off due to storms – it’s high time to finally put the bashing of the Blues ace to bed.
Petty prejudices, often combined with baseless body shaming over the length of Pickford’s limbs – described by both Neville Southall and the late Kevin Campbell as “a witch hunt” – have long been an embarrassment. Such naysayers should now be examining their own heads, given their levels of nit-picking.
The chance of glory still awaits for Pickford and his team-mates but whatever happens over the next fortnight, he should now be elevated to his true position of national treasure status.
Unlike the aforementioned Shilton, whose England record of 17 World Cup appearances he has now equalled and is set to go beyond in next Saturday’s quarter-final against Norway, the Blues star emerged triumphant from his trip to the Azteca.
Facing the competition co-hosts, who had lost just twice in 89 previous competitive matches at the venue and hadn’t conceded a goal throughout the entire finals going into the fixture, Pickford and his team-mates faced an even more intimidating atmosphere than their compatriots back in 1986.
As this correspondent’s colleague Joe Thomas remarked on X: “Jordan Pickford went into that game under serious scrutiny. To deliver a performance like that, in that arena, under that much pressure, tells you so much about why he is England’s undisputed #1. Several important saves and the way he commanded his box was crucial to that win.”
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - JULY 05: Jordan Pickford #1 of England makes a save from Raul Jimenez #9 of Mexico during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between Mexico and England at Mexico City Stadium on July 05, 2026 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
Everton and England number one Jordan Pickford makes a fine save from Raul Jimenez in the thrilling World Cup win over Mexico (Image: Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
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Indeed, while Pickford was unable to extend his record of 13 clean sheets in major tournaments for England, he produced one of the finest displays across his 89 caps.
Although he conceded twice – just like he did when triumphing 3-2 on another intimidating away day at St James’ Park earlier this year when producing the Premier League’s Castrol Save of the Season with his sensational stop to deny Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali in stoppage time and secure a 12th away day success since David Moyes’ return – he could not be blamed for either goal.
Instead, despite the Three Lions being reduced to 10 men after Jarell Quansah’s sending off – incredibly Thomas Tuchel seems to have more problems at right-back than Everton – Pickford produced a goalkeeping masterclass when it comes to excelling in a pressure cooker environment.
There were the athletic saves to deny Raul Jimenez, an old foe from the Premier League, twice but even the most bitter Pickford baters and haters cannot question his impressive shot-stopping ability.
However, the most impressive element of this display from the 32-year-old was the way, when England were forced to defender and suffer, that he commanded his penalty area, an element of his game that has long been highlighted as a potential Achilles heel, even from those who are regular patrons of Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Flying high at altitude, he came out to deal with crosses in an assertive manner and facing a nation that produced boxing greats like Julio Cesar Chavez plus Salvador Sanchez, Pickford’s superb punching helped deliver the knockout blow to the home side.