Thursday, July 16th, 2026, 7:50 am
Pickford Made Good Saves, But He Should Not Have Conceded the First Goal
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have much respect for England’s goalkeeper, Pickford, who has very good reflexes. The goalposts saved him several times last night, as did John Stones. At one point he stopped a short-range header with his hands (fists).
But Argentina’s first goal should not have gone in. Pickford was poorly positioned and he did not properly cover the goal. He could not reach the ball, even when the kick was long-distanced, not exceptionally powerful or curved, because he was ill-placed.
Looking back, had Pickford stood nearer to the centre of the goal, then certainly he would be able to parry away the ball. Maybe England could win the match. In the whole first half (and until England’s goal) Pickford had to save nothing. Neither team had a shot on target in the first half.
