JORDAN PICKFORD equalled Peter Shilton’s World Cup record – and then had his Gordon Banks moment to set England on their way to a stunning, nerve-shredding victory.
This instant-classic of a game was so incident-packed and tension-riddled that it was easy to forget Pickford’s early contribution, but it was vital.
Jordan Pickford saved his best display of the tournament for the moment they really needed him Credit: Getty
He made several important saves that kept England in the game Credit: AP
The Everton star pulled off one of the finest stops by a Three Lions keeper since Banks denied Pele – also in Mexico – by tipping Raul Jimenez’s early diving header round the post.
It was not quite as good as Banks’ ‘Save of the Century’ against the GOAT in Guadalajara at the 1970 World Cup – nothing is – but it was technically outstanding.
Mexican talisman Jimenez had done everything right as he took to the air to power Roberto Alvarado’s whipped cross towards the near corner in the 15th minute.
But Pickford got down low and tipped it round his near post with his left hand, leaving Jimenez and the rest of the Azteca Stadium dumbstruck.
It set the tone for an outstanding and brilliantly-assured performance from England’s No1 – along with his whole defence – as he helped guide Thomas Tuchel’s ten men through one of the toughest tests our country has ever faced.
And it was just what England’s stopper needed after a shaky performance in the first knockout game against DR Congo.
That fingernail-gnawing encounter in Atlanta had seen Pickford concede a sloppy opener early on when Brian Cipenga beat him at his near post.
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IT’S A KNOCKOUT
The knockout stages of the World Cup are hotting up.
England believe football might finally be coming home after 60 years of hurt, with Harry Kane on fire.
But the likes of France, Spain, Brazil and Argentina are all serious contenders to go all the way.
Heavyweights Germany and the Netherlands have both been knocked out on penalties in the Round of 32.
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But Pickford was back to his dependable best – how often he has been for England over the years – here in this iconic ground.
This was, of course, the venue where Diego Maradona fisted his Hand of God goal past Shilton at the 1986 World Cup, when England lost to Argentina in the quarter-finals.
How fitting that it was here that Pickford drew level with record cap-holder Shilton with most World Cup appearances by an England player with his 17th game in football’s greatest stage.
It took the Three Lions’ current No1 past team-mate Harry Kane on 16, Marcus Rashford on 15, John Stones, Ashley Cole, Bobby Charlton, Bobby Moore, Terry Butcher (all on 14), and David Beckham who managed 13.
Pickford had raced into the dressing room before his team-mates towards the end of the warm-up ahead of this delayed kick-off.
Presumably nature had called, but the 32-year-old showed no signs of nerves when the action got going.
That was exemplified by his amazing reflexes to deny Jimenez.
But quick-thinking Pickford also had a hand in England’s opener.
He was alert to the danger when a ball was clipped over Marc Guehi, racing off his line before Jimenez could reach it.
Pickford then sparked the move that produced the opener, rolling it out to Declan Rice, who drove the ball downfield before laying it wide to Bukayo Saka.
Arsenal man Saka then clipped a cross to the back post, where an unmarked Jude Bellingham had the freedom of Mexico City to head home the first of his rapid-fire double.
Pickford’s willingness to come and punch crosses really helped England survive Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
You could see at the final whistle just how much the win meant to Pickford Credit: AP
England looked on easy street when Bellingham stroked home Kane’s cutback seconds later.
But experienced players like Kane, Bellingham and Pickford would surely have known that this was not over.
And when Julian Quinones blasted his fourth goal of the tournament – giving Pickford absolutely no chance from close range – it was game on.
At that point it was about making it to half-time with the lead intact.
And Pickford, earning his 89th cap, played a big role in achieving it as he expertly tipped another excellent save from Jimenez over the bar.
After half-time, all hell broke loose.
Jarell Quansah was sent off, Kane netted a penalty but then gave away one which Jimenez dispatched past Pickford who had shuffled his feet the wrong way before diving the right direction but was unable to reach the shot.
At that point, it was a time for defensive heroes, and Thomas Tuchel gambled with a 5-3-1 formation, throwing on John Stones, Dan Burn and Djed Spence to try to repel Mexican wave after wave of attacks.
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It was park-the-bus time but the way England’s tired backline – and in particular Ezri Konsa and Marc Guehi – put their bodies on the line with a number of brilliant blocks.
And behind them Pickford was at his assured best with a number of brilliantly-timed punches that helped knackered England somehow defend their way to the quarter-finals.
Pickford has come under fire this tournament – including from JattvibeSport columnist Troy Deeney – and at times with some justification.
But he was back to being England’s Mr Reliable here, as he has so often during his record-equalling Three Lions career.
