Jordan Pickford has warned England will not fall for Argentina's dark arts, unlike David Beckham in 1998, as the Three Lions prepare for a World Cup semi-final showdown. The England goalkeeper, now the nation's all-time World Cup appearance holder with 18 caps, insisted Thomas Tuchel's side are too streetwise to be provoked by the defending champions.
Pickford on staying disciplined
Asked about the importance of keeping their heads, Pickford said: 'Yeah, I think you've seen throughout the tournament our desire to win tackles but we haven't gotten into any scuffles or anything. We've been very respectful within the game. Decisions go our way, they don't go our way, we just reset, we go again and we let the football do the talking.'
He added: 'I think that's what we've done throughout the tournament. Apart from Jarell [Quansah], we've not had any suspensions or second yellow cards or anything like that. It just shows the mentality that we have and we don't get wrapped up in sort of things like that. We stay focused and we stay together.'
Beckham's legacy and support
Beckham, sent off for kicking Diego Simeone 28 years ago, has been a supportive figure, allowing England to use Inter Miami's training facilities and cheering them on against Norway. Pickford acknowledged the fiery history but stressed the focus remains on football.
'I think it's just a game of football and both passionate fans are going there to watch a top-level game of football, that's what it does. It brings fans together, it brings the nations together and it's two proud nations, that's the key. We're both proud nations. The football will do its talking and regarding the referees, that's their job. We can't control that narrative and it's about just focusing on the football,' Pickford concluded.
