Jude Bellingham appeared to angrily exclaim "it's the middle of the goal" after Argentina equalised against England in their World Cup semi-final, pointing the blame at goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. The Everton shot-stopper failed to prevent Enzo Fernandez from scoring from range following a short corner, despite launching himself full-length to his right. The strike levelled the match after former Everton winger Anthony Gordon had opened the scoring for England.
Bellingham's Reaction Caught on Camera
Bellingham, who had been the only England player attempting to close down Fernandez, seemed to be viewing replays of the goal on screens inside the stadium in Atlanta. After seeing the replay, his reaction was captured on camera, showing clear displeasure with Pickford's attempt.
Gary Neville's Criticism
Pundit Gary Neville also swiftly criticised the Everton goalkeeper. Speaking on the Stick to Football World Cup Watch Party, the former Manchester United and England defender said: "Not gone in the corner, that, he's got to save that. Got to save it. He's past it." Neville also pulled up Pickford for failing to catch a shot earlier in the contest, stating: "Don't let him shoot from there. Got to catch that. It's straight at him. Honestly, it's going over as well."
Roy Keane Defends Pickford, Credits Fernandez
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." Keane also found the winning goal scored by Lautaro Martinez entirely foreseeable, remarking: "I said he was going to score, didn't I say he was going to score? Martinez was going to score with the header, didn't I say? It's all down the right-hand side [to Messi]. What a game. I said Martinez would score. What an option he is off the bench."
Neville's Broader Criticism and Keane's Prediction
Prior to the goal, Neville had criticised England's overall performance, saying: "We have stopped playing, we've sat back. We're sleeping, we're sleeping." Keane went on to praise Lionel Messi, stating: "Give credit where it's due - it's his [Messi's] weaker foot. We are watching greatness here, I am telling you. We are watching greatness, appreciate it, seriously." It emerged that Keane had correctly called the final scoreline, with Ian Wright conceding: "You had 2-1 Argentina..." Grinning in response, the Irishman posed the rhetorical question: "Who had 2-1 Argentina? Me?"
