Drink bottle trick helps England keeper Pickford to record
England's footballers have reached the semifinals in the youngest four tournaments for the third time. The team, led by trainer Gareth Southgate, may have been disappointing in terms of performance, but in the penalty shootout, the Three Lions showed quality. Even with a prepared water bottle.
The curse of the penalty shootout was defeated, the critics were pacified - England's National Team's historic EURO mission continued despite poor performances. A label on goalkeeper Jordan Pickford's water bottle and unusual nerve strength helped in the 5:3 (1:1, 1:1, 0:0) penalty drama against Switzerland and advanced the team to the EURO semifinal. The prospect of the first major tournament final appearance outside England set Matchwinner Bukayo Saka in euphoria: "These two games can change our lives. We can write history."
Unlike the EURO showdown three years ago against Italy, all five shooters kept their nerves this time. Especially for Saka, the trauma of 2021 was forgotten in an instant. His missed penalty at home in Wembley and the sometimes racist criticism from disappointed English fans did not deter him from taking responsibility again - and turning ice-cold.
Thanks to Pickford, England can suddenly win penalty shootouts again. In three shootout duels, he parried 4 out of 14 penalties and surpassed his predecessors significantly. Against Akanji on Saturday, against Jorginho and Andrea Belotti in 2021, and against Carlos Bacca at the World Cup 2018. The EURO final against Italy was lost three years ago only because three English shooters missed. "Winning tournaments is not just about playing well. You have to show some of these other attributes," said trainer Gareth Southgate.
Since 1990, English goalkeepers have only managed to parry six attempts in the penalty shootout. Pickford's quote is remarkable, as that of other goalkeepers between 1990 and 2012, according to data service provider Opta, was 2 out of 36.
Southgate's entry into the semifinal on Wednesday (9 pm/MagentaTV and live in the ticker at ntv.de) in Dortmund against the Netherlands is a special satisfaction for him. The criticism at home about the team's rumpus football can abate in the coming days. "We have now reached the third semifinal of the last four tournaments. That's a good performance. Now we want to make the big throw."
The 'Drinking bottle trick' with a label became a talking point during England's penalty shootout victory, as goalkeeper Jordan Pickford showcased exceptional nerve strength. The penalty save against Switzerland helped England break their record in penalty shootouts, with Pickford successfully blocking four out of 14 attempts.
Pickford's performance in penalty shootouts has surpassed that of his predecessors significantly, setting a new record for England's goalkeepers since 1990. This 'Penalty shootout' triumph against Switzerland secured England's place in the EURO semifinal, brining them one step closer to their goal of a major tournament final appearance.
During the penalty shootout against Switzerland, Bukayo Saka, who infamously missed a penalty in the EURO 2021 'record-breaking' shootout against Italy, demonstrated remarkable composure and clinched a crucial save, marking a significant turning point in his career.
