England vs Sweden: Jordan Pickford on his World Cup masterclass after claiming man-of-the-match award
Everton goalkeeper made a stunning save from striker Marcus Berg and admitted afterwards that the he believed it was his and England’s day to triumph immediately afterwards
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Your support makes all the difference.Harry Maguire and Dele Alli fired England into the World Cup semi-finals, but it was goalkeeper Jordan Pickford who took the plaudits as he claimed the man-of-the-match award in the 2-0 victory over Sweden.
Reaching the last-four for the first time since Italia ’90, England know that they head to Moscow for Wednesday’s semi-final just 90 minutes away from the World Cup final, with either Russia or Croatia standing in their way.
While England manager Gareth Southgate will have been pleased with his side scoring two more times to match their previous best – a record of 11 goals that remains from 1966 – the victory can largely be credited to Pickford for a string of impressive saves.
The Everton stopper was on hand to save twice from Marcus Berg, the first a brilliant dive to his left to tip the ball past the post and the second palming a fierce shot above the crossbar, while his sprawling save to deny Ola Toivonen ensured he kept a first clean sheet in Russia.
He was duly rewarded with the man-of-the-match award, and admitted himself that the first world-class save gave him the confidence and belief to put in his best performance in an England shirt to-date.
"I wasn't born the last time England reached a World Cup semi-final. We have always said we would take one game at a time and we can go on and create our own history.
"We knew it was going to be difficult, we know what Sweden bring to the party and we managed it very well. After I made that first save from Marcus Berg with the header that was me set for the rest of the game.
"England fans are different class and we really enjoyed playing in that atmosphere."
Pickford’s performance did not go unnoticed from those who matter, either, as Southgate singled him out for praise in keeping matters calm by not conceding a goal that would have left England up against it.
“Critical saves at crucial times because a goal at that stage and you’ve got the ball in your box for the last 20 minutes,” noted Southgate. “He [Pickford] was brilliant today.”
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