How the media rated Jordan Pickford’s England excellence against Mexico | OneFootball

(Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)

After some rather unwarranted criticism earlier in the tournament, Jordan Pickford was back proving his doubters wrong overnight as England beat Mexico to reach the World Cup quarter-finals.

The rather tedious non-topic that is his place as England’s number one goalkeeper should disappear again after Pickford handled the heat of the Azteca in flawless fashion.

The often critical media have rightfully been full of praise for Pickford’s performance, with several 9/10 scores across outlets.

Here is how some of the selected media rated Jordan Pickford’s England excellence against Mexico

Goal - 9/10

Metro - 9/10

“Began nervously with a pair of overhit passes out from the back but regained his composure to produce a top save down low to his left to keep out Raul Jimenez’s goal-bound header in the 15th minute.

“Showed great awareness to rush out and shut down Jimenez again just moments prior to Bellingham’s header opener, before keeping out the Wolves attacker’s speculative long-range effort with an acrobatic stop on the stroke of half-time.

"After a mixed start to the tournament, this was Pickford’s best performance yet – by a distance.” 

The Telegraph - 9/10

“Save of his career to deny Raul Jimenez’s early diving header, judging the bounce to flip the ball around the post.  Also a stunning tip over the bar to deny the Mexico striker. Went in early from the warm-up, but his performance did not point to an injury.”

ESPN - 8/10

“Put in an excellent shift and made a number of incredible saves. Displayed great instinct to deny Jiménez an opener from close range in the 15th minute. Great distribution for the attacking players, took his moments when to play out the back and when to play it long. Started the move for England's opener, rolling the ball out after spotting Declan Rice in good space. Made another stellar fingertip save from yet another Jiménez shot.”

The Guardian - 8/10

“Huge early save from Jiménez turned out to be pivotal. Backed it up with another flying stop later.”

talkSPORT - 9/10

"Great saves, great distribution, commanding in the air." 

Independent - 9/10

“Two excellent saves from Raul Jimenez in the first half were key to England’s bright start, and he dealt brilliantly with an aerial barrage in the final throes.”

BBC - 7/10

"A great save low down from a diving header from Raul Jimenez early on. An important moment as England would have been behind early in the atmospheric Azteca. Was called upon just before half-time to produce an acrobatic save to deny Jimenez again when Mexico were pushing for a leveller at 2-1.”

Reader Comments (21)

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John Collins 2 Posted 06/07/2026 at 10:59:39

Southern bias from the BBC

Edward Rogers 3 Posted 06/07/2026 at 11:18:15

Lee Dixon probably thinks Jordan should have saved Mexico's 1st goal!!!

Ray Said 4 Posted 06/07/2026 at 11:21:20

I don't mind if the biased media whores always underestimate Pickford. My main worry is if they flip the script and start the 'shouldn't Englands No 1 be at a Champions League club?' articles.

Trevor Powell 5 Posted 06/07/2026 at 11:40:32

Now if he played for Arsenal or Man Utd, he would have elevens or even twenties all round!

Andrew Ellams 6 Posted 06/07/2026 at 12:03:44

Ray, they've tried that.

If Everton remain solvent and in the Premier League, Pickford will see out his career with us.

Jeff Spiers 7 Posted 06/07/2026 at 12:07:31

Fuck the BBC.

Mark Ryan 8 Posted 06/07/2026 at 12:23:31

I thought it was a great performance and loved seeing him on his knees, arm outstretched, cheering his own punch of the ball. Typical Jordan and typically brilliant.

Working with a makeshift back line cannot be easy but the BBC don't mention that. An Everton great in a modern day average Everton.

Steve Brown 9 Posted 06/07/2026 at 12:33:39

"Save of his career to deny Raul Jimenez's early diving header, judging the bounce to flip the ball around the post."

Not even in Pickford's top 5 saves this season.

Tony Abrahams 10 Posted 06/07/2026 at 13:19:32

Including this one Mark, then in his last five tournaments for England, Pickford, has played in two European finals, a World Cup semifinal, a World Cup quarter final and hopefully he’s going to go further in this one. He hasn’t even played in one semifinal for Everton.

People talk about qualifying for Europe, what about trying to do well in the fucking cups, Everton?

We have enjoyed some great keepers in my life time, and I am enjoying reading TalkSport saying he was "commanding in the air".

Not his best attribute at club level but, maybe if we raise the standard of defenders in front of him, we could see more of that.

Liam Mogan 12 Posted 06/07/2026 at 13:34:07

Lots of clowns calling for him to be replaced before the game.

The other keepers in the squad are miles away from him and his experience is priceless.

Chris Williams 14 Posted 06/07/2026 at 16:27:09

Aren't the BBC rating scores voted for by the online “fans”?

It certainly is post the PL matches

Tony Abrahams 15 Posted 06/07/2026 at 16:41:33

I don't think he has had a great season for Everton, Liam, but I agree.

Only a fool would have replaced Pickford going into the knockout stages of a major tournament because he has now got so much experience, and experience is vital for a goalkeeper.

Brent Stephens 16 Posted 06/07/2026 at 17:03:07

BBC website: "After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users."

Chris Williams 17 Posted 06/07/2026 at 17:29:17

Thanks Brent, I thought so.

So BBC is just the messenger.

Darren Hind 18 Posted 06/07/2026 at 17:37:29

I thought the save from Jimenez's brilliant diving header was a very good one, But why on earth would anybody get upset because he was given 7/10 ? That's a good score. He didnt do enough to warrant a higher score. He punched 2-3 clear, but, you would expect any professional goalkeeper to have been able to do that. As for his other saves I'd have saved them meself.

A very accomplished performance from all hands last night, But hardly brilliant. I thought the entire team was around 7/10 with the possible exception of Bellingham who warranted an 8 eight or even a nine.

Tempted to give the gormless twat Henderson a ten though

Ron Marr 19 Posted 06/07/2026 at 17:57:48

Looks like Harry is referring to the article by BBC writer Alex Howell who gave Pickford a 7 and Burn an 8. At the bottom of the article the fans rated Pickford 8.30

BBC Ratings

Anthony Dwyer 20 Posted 06/07/2026 at 19:47:01

At last a bit of praise. To me it seems Pickford only gets praised when playing for us when commentary say how he's never let England down, never praise how he is for us, then when he plays for England every man and his dog wants to suggest who should replace him.