Jacob Raw

Tue 31 March 2026 21:38, UK

Everton star Jordan Pickford was almost involved in a calamitous first-half England error in the 1-0 loss to Japan, which left Lee Dixon aghast.

The goalkeeper played another game for the Three Lions this Tuesday, which seemed to start on the wrong foot from the first whistle.

Japan got their press well in the early knockings of the game, as Manchester City’s Marc Guehi tried to play a ball back to Pickford.

David Moyes’ star shot-stopper did well to avoid what probably would have been seen as his mistake, though it was a team-mate who put him in danger in the first place.

Pickford will return to Everton following the loss, and the Toffees will have to hope the keeper can pick his head up ahead of important Premier League games.

Lee Dixon says Marc Guehi ‘nearly caught’ Jordan Pickford out

James Garner and Pickford both left Finch Farm for England camp recently, and it’s fair to say the duo have done the Blues proud.

However, the result isn’t what England, nor the Everton pairing, would have wanted, with the World Cup fast approaching.

While speaking on ITV Sport, Dixon couldn’t help but call the Three Lions out for the shaky moment at the back, just a couple of minutes into the game.

Dixon said, as quoted by BBC Sport: “It’s sloppy from England. Miscommunication between [Nico] O’Reilly and [Anthony] Gordon on this left-hand side, and then sloppy play at the back from Guehi at the back as well, he nearly caught Pickford out.”

Even if Pickford did make a mistake, which he didn’t, the Everton keeper is still nailed on to be Thomas Tuchel’s number one choice in North America this summer.

What record has Pickford now lost with England?

Blues fans know how passionate Pickford is, and they’ll all be hoping that this result doesn’t have a negative effect on his mood upon a return to Finch Farm.

The game was only a friendly, so not that much damage has been done. However, for Pickford, his run of 536 days without conceding for England is now over.

• Kaoru Mitoma’s goal for Japan broke Pickford’s streak
• He last conceded for England against Greece in October of 2024

It’s hard to say, but this could be the build-up to Pickford’s last World Cup as England’s number one shot-stopper.

Either way, he can redeem his emotions by having a big part to play at Hill Dickinson before he jets off for North America in a couple of months.