Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was in fine form for England as the Three Lions beat Mexico 3-2 to advance into the quarter-finals of the World Cup.
For all those of a Sunderland persuasion watching the World Cup at home, they were once again beaming with pride as Academy of Light graduate Jordan Pickford performed heroics for England in their 3-2 win over Mexico.
In the early hours of Monday morning, Thomas Tuchel's side advanced into the quarter-finals of the World Cup following their victory over co-hosts Mexico, to set up a testing clash against Erling Haaland's Norway.
Real Madrid icon Jude Bellingham scored two goals in quick succession in the first half to give England a two-goal buffer over Mexico, before in-form winger Julián Quiñones halved his side's deficit heading into half-time.
In the second-half, a penalty kick from Harry Kane set England on course for victory, before a Raul Jimenez penalty beat Pickford just nine minutes later to see the Three Lions anxiously keep a flurry of late Mexico attacks at bay.
For boyhood Sunderland fan Pickford, who featured 35 times for the Black Cats before securing a big-money move to Everton in 2017, it was yet another memorable performance between the England sticks.
In the opening five minutes, Pickford was on hand to stop England conceding an early lead, with his firm low stop keeping Wolves frontman Jimenez at bay, whose deft header was an early reminder for the Three Lions as to what the Mexicans could produce in attack.
Unfortunately for Pickford, he could do nothing about Quiñones' venomous volley, but in the latter stages of the first half, the Sunderland fan-favourite kept Mexico out on several occasions and also went on to make one of the best saves of the tournament thus far.
The Everton shot-stopper showed stunning athleticism to deny a wonderful headed effort from Jimenez, tipping his header from 15 yards out over the England bar and maintaining England's lead with another world-class save.
England's Jordan Pickford saves a shot by Mexico's Raul Jimenez (Credit: REUTERS)Throughout the rest of his 89th England cap, Pickford was in fine form, making three crucial saves in total to play an imperative role in the Three Lions advancing to the quarter-final clash against Norway on Saturday evening.
As all Sunderland supporters looked on with pride, Pickford's predecessor in the England net, Joe Hart, also was in high praise for the Everton star after his 'massive' goalkeeping display against Mexico.
Joe Hart Praises Jordan Pickford after England 3-2 Mexico
On Pickford's display, Hart told The Rest is Football podcast: "On Jordan Pickford coming into the England team and being on that world level, I understand why people had their questions over him because he’s not actually physically imposing.
"He can be erratic in how he behaves. But what has won people over, and rightly so, because these are all things around him, he actually has performed even since he came on at this level.
"When he was at Sunderland, he earned that move to Everton, and he makes massive saves for his teams.
“When you get to know him, and you get to understand him, people who don’t understand him see all of these antics, touching and rolling around on the floor. That’s what makes him great.
"It’s not as pleasing on the eye, but that’s Jordan Pickford, he’s not pleasing on the eye, but my god he’s effective, and you can trust him, and in the big moments he wants to stand there and be that guy. That’s massive to have in a team.
"To be the England number one for so long, and to keep improving and stepping up in a big game, I’m so pleased he had that night tonight, and he deserves every bit of praise he’s going to get."
Pickford often receives a lot of vitriol from certain sections of the England fanbase, but his performance against Mexico was a clear reminder of his qualities in goal, showing that the praise ought to be as loud as the disrespect he suffers.
The 32-year-old, who has 358 Everton appearances to his name, will have to in similarly stunning form once again for England on Saturday as Manchester City goal-machine Haaland and his Viking compatriots look to continue their stunning World Cup form with a sem-final spot on offer.
