Former England stars have been queuing up to hail Everton’s Jordan Pickford after his heroic display in the Three Lions’ stunning 3-2 win over Mexico at the Azteca Stadium, which ensured the World Cup co-hosts were dumped out of the competition in their own back yard.
Match Summary
Two goals just 98 seconds apart from Jude Bellingham (36, 38) put Thomas Tuchel’s side 2-0 up in the contest, which was delayed by an hour because of storms, but a thunderous volley from Julian Quinones reduced arrears three minutes before the interval. The drama continued after the break as England were reduced to 10 men with Jarell Quansah sent off for a high challenge on Jesus Gallardo on 54 minutes before both sides were awarded penalties.
First, former Blues winger Anthony Gordon – who left Newcastle United for Barcelona in May – was brought down by home keeper Raul Rangel, with visiting captain Harry Kane converting on the hour mark. However, Kane, like Quansah with the earlier red card, was penalised following a VAR pitchside review for his tackle on Brian Guierrez, with Raul Jimenez slotting in to ensure a nervy 21 minutes plus 11 minutes of stoppage time.
Pickford's Performance
Despite being beaten twice, Pickford could do nothing about either goal and ensured England recorded a famous victory – Mexico had only previously been beaten twice in 89 competitive matches at their national stadium – with a string of smart saves and authoritative punches and catches as he commanded his area.
Joe Hart, his predecessor as England number one, said: “It was an incredible performance from Pickford. I’m so, so pleased for him. I loved seeing the energy in his eyes at the end of the game, he has loved every single moment of this trip to Mexico. He is a top keeper, he has made top saves all season, he is fully capable of it, but what else he brought to the game, the fingertip saves, coming out and winning crosses. He was absolutely brilliant. When England made the decision down to ten men to sit deep and defend with their lives, Pickford led. He has played a starring role yet again in a knockout game for England.”
Pundit Reactions
Former Everton and England forward Wayne Rooney, who was a team-mate of Pickford’s during the goalkeeper’s first season at Goodison Park in 2017/18, also called him outstanding. The Croxteth-born star said: “That was one of the greatest results, performances. They showed attitude, grit, desire, everything you would have wanted an England team to show they showed tonight. Going down to 10 we knew it was going to be difficult. They sat in and I was worried that we went too deep too early, but they put their bodies on the line. The centre-backs and Pickford were outstanding. We were the better team until the red card and then we showed a lesson in heading the ball out of the box, blocking shots, just brilliant.”
Meanwhile, there was even praise for the former Sunderland man from a Newcastle United icon. Alan Shearer said: “From the off the way that England tried to manage the game, the energy and taking the game to Mexico in really difficult circumstances. Then to get the two goals, then to be hurt so soon afterwards and going into half time at 2-1. The second half started positive but then the red card and a penalty and you thought: ‘what else is going against us?’ The way they stuck together and the manager's substitutions to go five at the back at the end, then Pickford was brilliant, a few great saves and coming out and taking the pressure off the defence when he could. Every single one of them was superb.”
