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BERLIN,GERMANY | Xinhua | Jordan Pickford might own England’s most famous bottle, after the Three Lions showed guts against Euro 2024 surprise package Switzerland to prevail in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw in the tournament quarterfinal.
For decades, penalties had been a cause for concern for England.
The time of fear seems over, after Gareth Southgate’s charges proceeded to the semifinals, where they will face the Netherlands next Wednesday. England have won three of four penalties shootouts since Southgate took charge in 2016.
But back to the plastic drinks bottle of the Everton goalkeeper. What is strongly condemned in schools or universities seems an appropriate solution in football.
Switzerland defender Manuel Akanji might not have known that he had been spied on before he took his walk toward the spot as his team’s first taker. Pickford had prepared perfectly for the nerve-wracking competition.
Stuck on his bottle was a detailed list of Switzerland’s penalty takers, noting where they most often place their spot kicks. “Dive left” was noted next to the name of Akanji.
Pickford had no doubts and went left to save the shot.
The crib sheet might not have helped in the following cases, but one save was enough as all five England takers converted their kicks.
The Three Lions had only previously won three of 14 shootouts in major tournaments, and since the loss against Germany in the semifinals of Euro 1996 on home soil, the matter turned into a tragic issue, including defeat against Italy in the Euro 2020 final at Wembley.
German media felt reminded of the former national team keeper Jens Lehmann and the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Lehmann fumbled out a cheat sheet out of his football socks ahead of the shootout against Argentina and made two saves.
As surprising as Pickford’s preparations seem, Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Ivan Toney and Trent Alexander-Arnold all showed strong nerves to score their penalties.
Statistics show England’s penalty takers never had been similarly successful.
“We all had a good feeling when taking the penalties. We have gained ground on the way to fulfil our big dream of the Euro 2024 title,” said England goalscorer Bukayo Saka said.
The team is about to write history, he added. As it seems, Jordan Pickford has already accomplished that job. ■
