Jordan Pickford used a water bottle ‘cheat sheet’ of Switzerland’s penalties to mastermind England’s shoot-out success, it can be revealed.
Pickford has now saved four of the 14 penalties he has faced in shoot-outs at major tournaments – and has his homework to thank for stopping Manuel Akanji’s kick.
Manchester City’s Akanji stepped up to take the first penalty of the game, as he looked nervous whilst Pickford stared him down.
But it turned out the Swiss defender had a reason to be. Pickford knew where the 28-year-old was going before he even hit the ball.
His note, printed out and stuck to the bottle, read: ‘Dive left’. Pickford duly did and set England on their way.
Jordan Pickford was England’s saviour in their quarter-final clash against Switzerland
The Everton keeper saved Switzerland’s opening penalty against Manuel Akanji, which proved crucial in knocking the Swiss out
You may ask the question, surely the Swiss goalkeeper Sommer can glance at the water bottle and pre-warn his teammates of Pickford’s plans.
But as we saw from Pickford’s next penalty, the keeper doesn’t always follow his instructions. Even if it is for the better or worse.
Pickford’s second penalty saw him come up against Schar, with his cheat sheet instructing him to ‘fake right, dive left’ but he ended up doing the opposite.
Which turned out to be the wrong decision as Schar’s penalty imitated the words transcribed on his water bottle.
Pickford’s has a ‘cheat sheet’ printed onto his water bottle with instructions for each penalty
Next up to face Pickford was former Liverpool player Xherdan Shaqiri. Not to be sent the wrong way again, Pickford decided to take the advice printed out on his water bottle.
He dove left, with Shaqiri shooting in the same direction but even the best penalty stopper couldn’t have saved the 32-year-old’s blistering strike which whizzed past the England keeper.
Pickford’s last penalty opponent was Zeki Amdouni and although Pickford was unable to make the save, his cheat sheet came in clutch once again.
Telling him to ‘hold, dive left, go low’, Pickford followed the instructions but the Burnley midfielder opted to go down the middle instead.
Following England’s spectacular performance fans should no longer be nervy, if England are forced to penalties once more in their next games.
However it would save a lot stress and hair loss if they can manage to get the job done without the need for penalties.
