Pickford Collects 50th Cap But England Exit World Cup – Everton Football Club

Jordan Pickford won his 50th England cap but was left bitterly disappointed as the Three Lions exited the 2022 World Cup with a 2-1 defeat to France in the quarter-finals. Everton’s number one, who made three clean sheets in the tournament, could do nothing about either of France’s goals – scored either side of a penalty from Harry Kane, who also missed a second spot-kick late on. France took the lead on 17 minutes when Real Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni arrowed a superb 25-yard drive into the corner of the net. Gareth Southgate’s side responded excellently, though, and deservedly equalised nine minutes after the half-time interval when Kane converted a penalty after Bukayo Saka had been brought down by Tchouameni. Pickford was on hand to make a stunning save to keep out Olivier Giroud’s effort 12 minutes from the end – but the AC Milan striker was not to be denied less than a minute later, powering home a header after Antoine Griezmann’s inch-perfect cross. There was late drama when VAR intervened and England were awarded a penalty for a cynical barge on substitute Mason Mount – but Kane could not repeat his earlier feat and blazed over from 12 yards.
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