Gary Lineker has explained why Jordan Pickford must ditch his penalty ‘cheat code’ water bottle after more heroics for England at Euro 2024.
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Everton keeper starring for Three LionsHas a reputation for saving spot-kicksOpponents now fully aware of his anticsWHAT HAPPENED?
The Everton goalkeeper has made a habit of delivering for the Three Lions in nerve-jangling shootouts. His crucial saves helped Gareth Southgate’s side to break their penalty curse against Colombia at the 2018 World Cup.
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Pickford saved and scored in a Nations League shootout with Switzerland in 2019, while also repelling two spot-kicks in the Euro 2020 final against Italy. He frustrated Swiss opponents for a second time when beating away an effort from Manuel Akanji in the quarter-finals of this summer’s European Championship.
WHAT LINEKER SAID
England do their homework ahead of shootouts, with Pickford sticking penalty advice to his water bottle. Said accessory told him to “dive left” when Akanji stepped up for Switzerland. Rivals are, however, now fully aware of his antics and ex-Three Lions striker Lineker has told the podcast: “One player is going to look at that bottle. If you are listening do it differently, do it on a different piece of paper or do it on the post!”
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Southgate will be hoping to see England avoid the need for any more penalty drama as they head into the semi-finals of Euro 2024. A clash with the Netherlands is next up for them on Wednesday, with that contest taking place in Dortmund.