‘We don’t want penalties’: Pickford backs England’s attacking approach

Jordan Pickford has enjoyed shootout success but believes his England side can deliver World Cup glory without penalties

Jordan Pickford has pretty much seen it all since making his first England appearance at under-16 level in 2009. Although he experienced the embarrassment of conceding the only goal scored by a goalkeeper from open play at a Fifa World Cup match against Canada in the under-17 edition in Mexico two years later, the 32-year-old has more than made up for it.

The 2-0 victory against Panama on Saturday was the 29th major tournament England game in a row to feature Pickford as Thomas Tuchel’s side secured top spot in Group L to set up a meeting with the Democratic Republic of Congo in Atlanta on Wednesday. As the Everton goalkeeper is fully aware, things are about to get much more serious.

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