Megan Pickford, wife of England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, has shared a heartbreaking social media update following the Three Lions' 2-1 World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina in Atlanta. The emotional video, posted on Instagram, shows her hanging up four England kits worn by their children during the tournament.
England's Late Collapse
England had taken the lead through Anthony Gordon's first-half strike and looked set for a place in the final. However, Argentina staged a late comeback with goals from Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez in the final minutes of normal time, sending the defending champions through to defend their crown.
Megan's video, set to emotional music, shows her closing a cupboard door after hanging the kits. She captioned the post: "The end of the dream [crying emoji, heart emoji]."
Criticism of Pickford and Tuchel
Jordan Pickford has faced criticism for his role in Fernandez's equaliser. Former England defender Gary Neville told the Overlap: "Not gone in the corner, that. He's got to save that, got to save it. He's past it. I think Jordan should save that."
Roy Keane, however, praised the strike but questioned Pickford's credentials: "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. I think if you look at it, I think he was one of them ones. He was kind of leaning to see it. We've always said Pickford, is Pickford really going to be producing amazing saves? He's been very good for England. Obviously very good for Everton. But is he really a top-class goalkeeper?"
Tuchel's Defensive Substitutions
England head coach Thomas Tuchel has also come under fire for his defensive substitutions, which changed the flow of the game after taking the lead. The German attempted to shore up the backline, similar to England's win over Mexico at the Azteca, but this time the approach backfired.
Fernandez's goal came from a short corner worked to him on the edge of the area, where he curled a 20-yard effort past Pickford's outstretched hand. The defeat marks another bitterly disappointing end for England, who looked a completely different side after going ahead.
