Jordan Pickford hailed as an ‘absolute legend’ by fans after footage of the England keeper’s penalty shoot-out antics against Switzerland goes viral
- England beat Switzerland 5-3 in a penalty shootout at Euro 2024 on Saturday
- Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford made a crucial save in the shoot-out
- LISTEN to It’s All Kicking Off! EUROS DAILY: Bukayo Saka was the shining light for England against Switzerland, it was so beautiful to see him score his penalty too
Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was the hero of England’s penalty shootout after saving Manuel Akanji’s penalty during Saturday’s Euro 2024 quarter-final win over Switzerland.
The Everton keeper leapt to his left to block the Manchester City defender’s low effort, then ran to the loose ball and collected it with both hands.
This magical moment sparked wild celebrations among English fans across the country.
Many Three Lions supporters later praised Pickford on social media for his unusual action just before the penalty.
Pickford’s save was the result of some mind games, which began when the 30-year-old tried to block Akanji’s kick.
Jordan Pickford was England’s hero during Saturday’s penalty shootout win over Switzerland
Thirty-year-old goalkeeper Pickford saved a penalty from Manuel Akanji (not in shot)
Pickford pictured kissing the crest on his England shirt during Saturday’s match at Euro 2024
After walking very slowly towards the goal, Pickford walked the other way to get his water bottle, which was decorated with instructions on which way to dive before each Swiss player was awarded a penalty.
After grabbing his bottle, which was wrapped in a towel to keep his secrets safe, Pickford walked to the centre of the goal, before striding to the edge of the five-yard box.
Referee Daniele Orsato ordered Pickford to return to his pitch, which he did by walking backwards and shaking his shoulders.
Pickford then jumped up and down on the spot, stopped abruptly and then stood motionless as he waited for Akanji’s incoming attempt.
He then followed the instructions on his bottle and pulled off one of the greatest saves of his career.
Pickford was mobbed by his teammates after England’s penalty win in Dusseldorf
The Everton star was helped by penalty instructions attached to a water bottle
Pickford was involved in several penalty shootout victories during his England career
Footage of Pickford’s strange behaviour before he thwarted Akanji went viral on X (formerly Twitter) after a user shared it with the caption: “Hi everyone, this is Jordan Pickford behaving himself.”
One response at the time was: ‘Absolute legend’.
Another fan wrote: ‘Crazy as a box of frogs. Legend.’
A fourth fan added: ‘You can’t tell me he’s not hilarious hahahahahaha’.
Meanwhile, an England supporter named Will said: ‘Really a [of] our best goalkeepers of all time’.
Pickford has represented England 66 times at senior international level since making his debut in 2017.
His 67th international match will almost certainly take place when England play the Netherlands in Dortmund on Wednesday.