Jordan Pickford has declared that England are ready for a penalty shootout if their World Cup semi-final against Argentina goes the distance. The Three Lions have won three knockout matches at the 2026 World Cup—against DR Congo, Mexico, and Norway—but have not yet faced a penalty shootout in this tournament.
England's Penalty Preparation
Head coach Thomas Tuchel and his staff had anticipated that at least one knockout match would likely go to penalties, based on probability. England's last two World Cup penalty shootouts were against Colombia in 2018 (a victory) and Portugal in 2006 (a defeat). Before those, the most recent was in the 1998 round of 16 against Argentina, when David Beckham was sent off and England exited after a shootout in Saint-Étienne.
Argentina have been taken to extra time twice—by Cape Verde and Switzerland—but have also not yet had a shootout at this World Cup.
Pickford's Message
Speaking from England's training base in Kansas City, Pickford said: “I think it’s just [important to] solely focus on us as England now and us being at our best to beat another top nation. It’s us against them to get a place in the final, and it’s a game of football — [whether it is] 90 minutes, 120, or penalties. We’re ready for anything, and it’s us against them and it’s about who comes out on top. We’re fully prepared for that.”
Respect for Martinez
Pickford's opposite number in goal for Argentina will be Aston Villa's Emi Martinez, a familiar foe from the Premier League. Pickford commented: “What a career, from going to Arsenal. I'll never forget playing against him when he went on loan to Wolves, when I was at Preston North End. For me, the pathway he went on, he had to wait to get his chance for Argentina and then he took it. His antics are his antics, but as a goalkeeper he's a top keeper, and that's what top keepers do. Whether he has his antics or I have my antics, it's about putting the gloves on and putting that performance in. He's done that for Aston Villa, he's done it for Argentina, and I've got to give credit to him as a goalkeeper.”
