England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has received strong backing from Everton fans on social media following the Three Lions' 2-1 World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina. The 32-year-old made a number of fine stops, including a brilliant point-blank save to deny Nico Gonzalez's header.
Pickford's Performance Under Scrutiny
But Pickford's stellar work came undone when Enzo Fernandez's long-range drive found its way past him in the 85th minute to equalise for Argentina. The Everton goalkeeper was unable to keep out the shot on the fourth occasion after Fernandez persistently pulled the trigger from outside the box. The goal came following a short corner where England were caught napping, leaving Fernandez free on the edge of the box. As several bodies went to close the ball down, Pickford's view was impaired and despite diving at full-stretch, he couldn't stop the ball soaring past him.
The strike levelled the score after ex-Everton winger Anthony Gordon had opened the scoring for England on 55 minutes. Lautaro Martinez then headed home from a pinpoint Messi cross to snatch a memorable victory for Argentina.
Bellingham's Reaction Sparks Controversy
Jude Bellingham's angry reaction went viral after he appeared to glance at a replay of Fernandez's goal on the overhead TV screens at Atlanta Stadium. The Real Madrid star didn't have the benefit of watching the trajectory of the shot in real time as he sought to close down Fernandez. But after seeing it again, Bellingham appeared to be distinctly unimpressed with Pickford's efforts to keep the ball out, as his reaction was caught on camera. The 22-year-old could be seen mouthing: "It's the middle of the goal!"
Fans erupted in fury at the suggestion that Pickford was to blame, instead turning on Bellingham who had a quiet game by his standards. One X user wrote: "The game would've been 1-4 if not for Pickford. Jude must be running mad!" More backed up Pickford, saying: "He has been carrying England through the tournament. He needed someone to carry him today but they all went into hiding. He just wanted to qualify for the final. I'm gutted for him."
Mixed Fan Reactions
Other fans jumped to Pickford's defence, with one posting on X: "Pickford is excellent and always is. The sole issue is his height, but his skills are definitely good enough and he's quite blatantly not the problem." But that feeling wasn't universally shared. One supporter wrote: "His positioning was disappointing to see really I won't blame Jude for being shocked." Another said: "Pickford is too small to be a top level keeper, his positional play has always been questioned, he relies on his agility to get him out of poor positions. But a top level keeper saves that easily." Others called for Pickford to be replaced for Euro 2028: "Love Pickford and what's he's done for England, but a changing of the guard is needed for the next tournament."
Pickford's Record and Pundit Views
Pickford became England's record appearance-maker at a World Cup earlier in the tournament and now has 19 games under his belt at World Cup finals. The shot-stopper has been in between the sticks for the 2018 semi-final against Croatia, quarter-final against France at Qatar 2022 and was chosen by Thomas Tuchel to face Lionel Messi & Co in Atlanta on Wednesday.
Gary Neville, who had worked for ITV as a pundit during the World Cup, criticised the Toffees stopper. Speaking during the Stick to Football World Cup Watch Party, the former Three Lions defender said: "Not gone in the corner, that, he's [Pickford] got to save that. Got to save it. He's past it." Neville's former Manchester United team-mate Roy Keane, however, chose to credit Fernandez. 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." In a rare moment of agreement with his Sky Sports colleague, Reds icon Jamie Carragher wrote in his Telegraph column: "Pickford should still have saved Enzo Fernández's shot."
England will now face France on Saturday in a bid to secure third-place and Pickford could be rested, making way reserve stoppers Dean Henderson or James Trafford. Meanwhile, Argentina will advance to play Spain on Sunday as they hope to win back-to-back World Cup titles.
