England fans shocked by unrecognisable Three Lions star
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England fans have been left stunned by the appearance of one Three Lions star away from the blood and thunder of the football pitch.
Gareth Southgate’s side are recovering after a dramatic Euro 2024 quarter-final win over Switzerland on Saturday evening. England needed penalties to get past Murat Yakin’s men.
Though nerves were aplenty among England supporters, the five takers showed no such issue as each confidently stepped up to dispatch the spot-kicks that clinched a third semi-final berth in the last four major tournaments.
England’s win could not have been secured without the intervention of Jordan Pickford, who saved the first Swiss attempt from Manuel Akanji.
And it’s the appearance of the Everton stopper in a selfie posted by skipper Harry Kane that has left fans stunned.
Harry Kane (front) posted an image of himself with (L-R) Jordan Pickford, Luke Shaw and Tom Heaton
The Everton stopper’s hair looked markedly different to what he normally sports on the football pitch
Fans have been left stunned by the England star’s appearance and joked it’s like seeing a teacher outside of school
Kane accompanied a post of himself, Luke Shaw, Tom Heaton and Pickford with the message: ‘Togetherness – the whole group of players and staff! Never say die! What a win.’
In turn, fans – shocked by the sight of the 30-year-old’s hair without the gel that normally courses through it on the pitch – quickly reacted to the image on social media.
‘Genuinely did not recognise Pickford at all,’ wrote on supporter on X. A second said: ‘Seeing Pickford without his hair slicked back is like seeing your teacher outside of school.
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‘Cannot believe that is Pickford. How much gel does he put in his hair to make it literally change colour?!’ Said another. A fourth joked: ‘Whos tha?’
Even eyewear retail giants Specsavers got in on the fun. The company’s X account posted: ‘Sees Pickford with everyday hair. *Rubs eyes*’
Pickford has enjoyed another superb tournament for Southgate’s side and on Saturday he saved his fourth penalty in his last 14 attempts. It has subsequently been revealed that the key to that success lies in his preparation.
The former Sunderland keeper had a note, printed out and stuck to his bottle, which read ‘dive left’ next to the name of Akanji. Pickford duly did and set England on their way.
Pickford followed his list for three of the four Swiss spot-kicks, only ignoring it for the second penalty, taken by Fabian Schar.
His cheat sheet instructed him to ‘fake right, dive left’ but he ended up doing the opposite as the Newcastle defender found the net. Had he stuck to his list he may have also been able to save it.
Pickford has previously been spotted with penalty cheat-sheets on his water bottle when playing for England and Everton.
Even Specsavers got in on the fun and joked about Pickford’s look on their social media account
It appears Pickford can thank his water bottle for the crucial save as a cheat sheet was imprinted onto it
Pickford dived to save Manuel Akanji’s spot-kick, the only missed penalty of the entire shootout
His shoot-out record at major tournaments is double the number of all other England goalkeepers combined saved between 1990 and 2012, according to Opta.
Pickford joined in the celebrations as England’s stars rushed towards the goalkeeper and match-winner Alexander-Arnold, who appeared to have been brought on by Southgate specifically to take a penalty.
Pickford was also seen making faces at Switzerland players before they each took their penalty, prompting fans to hail his ‘s***housery masterclass’.
Referee Daniele Orsato having to go over and speak to him about his antics on more than one occasion.
England will face either the Netherlands or Turkey in the semi-finals of the Euros in Dortmund on Wednesday.
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