England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has hit back at Thibaut Courtois in the wake of his penalty shoot-out heroics against Colombia.
Pickford, 24, came under heavy criticism from Courtois after Belgium’s 1-0 win over England in the final Group G match, with the Chelsea gloveman claiming the Three Lions shot-stopper was too small to save Adnan Januzaj’s curling effort in the second-half.
However, the Everton No.1 would go on to save a crucial penalty for England in the nation’s first ever penalty shoot-out victory in a World Cup finals, after edging past Colombia in a tense Round of 16 affair.
After the match, Pickford did not hold back on his assessment of his own performance, believing that what he lacks in his physical frame, he more than makes up for in his ability as a goalkeeper.
He told reporters: “We did our research on [the Colombia penalty-takers] for starters with the analysis staff. Falcao’s the only one who didn’t go his usual way.
“Just set, react and go with power. And I’ve got power and agility. I don’t care if I’m not the biggest ‘keeper, but I’ve got that power and agility to help us get through the round.”
Having taken the lead in the 67th minute through a Harry Kane penalty, the South American side would equalise in the dying embers of the match courtesy of a Yerry Mina header – his third in the competition this summer.
Only two England goalkeepers have saved a penalty in a World Cup shoot-out:
1998: David Seaman (Crespo)
2018: Jordan Pickford (Bacca)— Squawka Football (@Squawka) July 3, 2018
The match at the Otkrytiye Arena would subsequently enter extra-time, and after a nervy 30 minutes of football with no goals and the match finishing 1-1, a penalty shoot-out would decide the fates of both England and Colombia, with the former winning 4-3 in the shoot-out.
Pickford pulled off a brilliant save to deny Carlos Bacca, and Eric Dier would ultimately send the England faithful into raptures after tucking away the deciding penalty under the right arm of David Ospina.
Gareth Southgate and Co will now face Sweden on Saturday in the quarter-final of the World Cup.
The post Pickford hits back at Courtois dig after starring in England shootout win v Colombia appeared first on Squawka News.
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