Pickford scored his penalty, then denied Switzerland with a crucial save in the shoot-out
Jordan Pickford was England’s hero as Gareth Southgate’s men beat Switzerland on penalties to win the third-place play-off in the inaugural Uefa Nations League finals. That Pickford penalty was a sight to behold.
England squandered a number of chances throughout the 90 minutes, but appeared to have won it late on as Callum Wilson – on as a replacement for Harry Kane – nudged home after Dele Alli’s header had rebounded off the Swiss cross bar.
However, a VAR review revealed Wilson had fouled a defender during the build-up to the goal. Just as was the case with Jesse Lingard’s strike against the Netherlands in the semi-finals, England were denied by VAR.
Gareth Southgate’s side’s dominance continued in extra-time, where Raheem Sterling came closest with a free-kick which struck the cross-bar.
There was no breakthrough, however, and so the game went to a penalties.
Pickford had smashed home his own penalty prior to the shoot-out going to sudden death, where he turned away Josip Drmic’s effort – the twelfth of the shoot-out – to secure victory for England.
https://twitter.com/niallmoran_/status/1137748201287688192
Pickford scores then saves a pen. Top lad well done England. 👍 pic.twitter.com/4iIMtlbN8H
— Mark (@nomadicmark) June 9, 2019
The final of the Nations League will be contested between Portugal and the Netherlands in Porto later on Sunday.
