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- Pickford was the hero as England beat Switzerland to reach the semi-finals
England fans were stunned to see only one Three Lions star appear, far away from the bloody and noisy football pitch.
Gareth Southgate’s side are looking to bounce back after a dramatic Euro 2024 quarter-final win over Switzerland on Saturday night, with England needing penalties to edge past Murat Yakin’s men.
Although the English fans were nervous, the five candidates showed no problem and confidently took the penalty kicks to secure a third place in the semi-finals of the last four major tournaments.
England’s victory would not have been secured without the intervention of Jordan Pickford, who stopped Manuel Akanji’s first Swiss attempt.
And it is the Everton goalkeeper’s appearance in a selfie posted by captain Harry Kane that has left fans stunned.
Harry Kane (front) posted a photo of himself with (L-R) Jordan Pickford, Luke Shaw and Tom Heaton
The Everton goalkeeper’s hair looked noticeably different to what he normally wears on the football field
Fans were stunned by the England star’s appearance and joked that it was like seeing a teacher outside school
Kane accompanied a message from himself, Luke Shaw, Tom Heaton and Pickford with the message: ‘Togetherness – the whole group of players and staff! Never say ‘that’! What a win.’
Fans were quick to react to the photo on social media, shocked by the sight of the 30-year-old footballer’s hair without the gel that is normally seen on the pitch.
“I didn’t recognise Pickford at all,” wrote one supporter on X. A second said: “Seeing Pickford without his hair combed back is like seeing your teacher outside of school.
‘Can’t believe this is Pickford. How much gel does he put in his hair to literally change colour?!’ said another. A fourth joked: ‘Who is this?’
Even eyewear giant Specsavers got in on the fun, with the company’s X account posting: ‘See Pickford with everyday hair. *Rubs eyes*’
Pickford has had another great tournament for Southgate’s team, saving his fourth penalty in his last 14 attempts on Saturday. The key to that success has subsequently been revealed to be his preparation.
The former Sunderland keeper had a note, printed out and stuck to his bottle, which said ‘dive left’ next to Akanji’s name. Pickford did so and set England on their way.
Pickford followed his lead for three of Switzerland’s four penalties, only ignoring the second, taken by Fabian Schar.
His cheat sheet instructed him to ‘fake right, dive left’ but he ended up doing the opposite when the Newcastle defender found the net. If he had stuck to his checklist he might have made it too.
Pickford was previously caught with a criminal record on his water bottle while playing for England and Everton.
Even Specsavers got in on the fun, poking fun at Pickford’s look on their social media account
It looks like Pickford can thank his water bottle for the crucial save, as it had a cheat sheet printed on it
Pickford dived to save Manuel Akanji’s penalty, the only missed penalty of the entire shootout
According to Opta, his shoot-out record at major tournaments is twice as high as the number of saves made by all other England goalkeepers between 1990 and 2012.
Pickford joined in the celebration as the England stars charged towards goalkeeper and match winner Alexander-Arnold, a player Southgate had seemingly brought on specifically to take a penalty.
Pickford was also seen pulling funny faces at the Swiss players before they took their penalty, with fans praising his ‘masterful lesson in sex’.
Referee Daniele Orsato had to speak to him several times about his antics.
England will face either the Netherlands or Turkey in the semi-finals of the European Championship in Dortmund on Wednesday.