Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has blamed Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford for England's World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina, with the Three Lions losing 2-1 on Wednesday night in Atlanta. The defeat ended Thomas Tuchel's side's hopes of reaching a first men's World Cup final since 1966.
Pickford Under Fire for Equaliser
Carragher, writing in his column for The Telegraph, stated: "Pickford should still have saved Enzo Fernández’s shot." The former defender's comments came after Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham was seen angrily exclaiming "it's the middle of the goal" during the match, seemingly directing his frustration at Pickford.
Gary Neville also criticised the Everton shot-stopper on the Stick to Football World Cup Watch Party, saying: "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, adding: "Don't let him shoot from there. Got to catch that. It's straight at him."
Roy Keane, however, chose to credit Fernandez for the strike, saying: "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."
Tuchel's Tactical Blunder
While Pickford has come in for criticism, Carragher laid the blame mostly on Tuchel's door. The 48-year-old said: "As the game evolved heading towards its climax, it was obvious Tuchel had to act. Argentina were piling on the pressure without creating too many chances."
Carragher criticised Tuchel's decision to switch to a back five, saying: "The changes should have focused on personnel. The team's set-up did not demand such radical attention. Once England went to five at the back, it backfired. The incessant shift towards Jordan Pickford’s goal became too much."
He added: "Within a matter of seconds, it was clear Tuchel had made the wrong call. England retreated and camped on the edge of their penalty area, inviting trouble. Playing with wing-backs meant Argentina could get more crosses into the penalty area and maintain a momentum which had already started to build without it being anywhere near as dangerous as it subsequently was."
Match Details
Former Everton winger Anthony Gordon had put England ahead in the second half, but late goals from Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez saw the holders come from behind to set up a final with European champions Spain on Sunday. England will now face France in the third-placed playoff on Saturday night.
