England were beaten 2-1 by Argentina in the World Cup semi-final on Wednesday night, with former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher laying the blame at the feet of Jordan Pickford
Isaac Seelochan Senior Sports Journalist
12:08, 16 Jul 2026Updated 12:13, 16 Jul 2026
Jamie Carragher working as a Sky Sports pundit
Jamie Carragher has not held back in his view on England's World Cup exit(Image: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
Liverpool icon Jamie Carragher has laid the blame at the feet of England's Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford following the Three Lions' World Cup elimination. Jude Bellingham also seemed displeased with Pickford during Wednesday evening's match.
Thomas Tuchel's side watched their aspirations of securing another major honour evaporate after suffering a 2-1 defeat to Argentina. Ex-Toffees forward Anthony Gordon fired Tuchel's charges ahead in the second period, raising hopes of a first men's World Cup final appearance since their 1966 triumph.
Nevertheless, late strikes from Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez enabled the defending champions to overturn the deficit and secure a final showdown with European champions Spain on Sunday. England must now make do with a third-place play-off on Saturday evening against France.
It will bring the curtain down on what has been a remarkable tournament for Tuchel's squad.
And Carragher has now offered his verdict on how England's North American adventure concluded. He maintains Pickford ought to have performed better for Fernandez's leveller, reports the Liverpool Echo.
In his Telegraph column, he stated: "Pickford should still have saved Enzo Fernández's shot."
His assessment follows Bellingham's apparent angry outburst: "it's the middle of the goal," during the encounter in Atlanta.
Pundit Gary Neville similarly wasted no time in criticising the Everton custodian. Speaking on the Stick to Football World Cup Watch Party, the former Manchester United and Three Lions defender stated: "Not gone in the corner, that. He's got to save that, got to save it. He's past it."
Neville also criticised Pickford for his inability to hold onto an earlier effort, commenting: "Don't let him shoot from there. Got to catch that. It's straight at him. Honestly, it's going over as well."
Jordan Pickford in tears
Jordan Pickford was left devastated after England's World Cup exit(Image: Javier Garcia/Shutterstock)
However, Neville's former Manchester United colleague Roy Keane opted to praise Fernandez instead. He said: "What a strike, what a strike that is. 'Keeper gets nowhere near it, look at the 'keeper, he's nowhere near it. It's the power."
While Pickford has faced scrutiny, Carragher has placed the majority of responsibility on Tuchel's shoulders. The 48-year-old said: "As the game evolved heading towards its climax, it was obvious Tuchel had to act. Argentina were piling on the pressure without creating too many chances.
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"The changes should have focused on personnel. The team's set-up did not demand such radical attention. Once England went to five at the back, it backfired. The incessant shift towards Jordan Pickford's goal became too much.
"Within a matter of seconds, it was clear Tuchel had made the wrong call. England retreated and camped on the edge of their penalty area, inviting trouble.
"Playing with wing-backs meant Argentina could get more crosses into the penalty area and maintain a momentum which had already started to build without it being anywhere near as dangerous as it subsequently was."