England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has said that his second-half blunder against Spain would have been a soft penalty if referee Szymon Marciniak had awarded Rodrigo a foul during England’s 3-2 win over Spain on Wednesday.
England took a 3-0 lead into half-time in Betis thanks to a two goal brace from Raheem Sterling, who ended his three-year goal drought in an England shirt with a quickfire double, and a strike from Marcus Rashford minutes before the interval.
Paco Alcácer pulled one back for the hosts just before the hour mark, before Sergio Ramos added a second goal deep into stoppage time, but Spain were somewhat unfortunate not to have won a penalty after striker Rodrigo dispossessed Pickford in his own box.
“If it was a penalty there we might argue the other way but I think it’s a bit soft given the lad hasn’t gone down,” Pickford told Sky Sports in his post-match interview. “That might have been the difference if he had went down but we got on with it with our mentality as a squad.
“It shows you the character we’ve got and in the pre-match interviews we were determined that we were going to go and win this game.”
What was Pickford thinking!? 🙈
He somehow doesn't give away a penalty after losing the ball in his own box! Correct call? 🤔
Watch Spain v @England live on Sky Sports Main Event or watch in-game clips and highlights here: https://t.co/u2MyryfVxc pic.twitter.com/yPc0aX2fEW
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) October 15, 2018
The England goalkeeper added that he was trying to imitate legendary Dutch forward Johann Cruyff with a turn in the box and added that he does not wish to keep fans on the edge of their seats like that.
“I tried the good old Cruyff [turn] and it didn’t work,” added the Everton shotstopper.
“I had that mentality to never say die, might have given a little nudge, but if you look back I get an elbow right in my dish as well but I got a good clearance off.
“Some will say I’ve gotten away with one but it’s part of the game. I think I’ve got people on the edge of their seats, and I don’t wish to do that, but it’s a decision I’ve made and the main thing is that it didn’t go into the back of the net.”
