How Jordan Pickford's 'beautiful' moment vs Mexico answered England critics - Alan Shearer was gushing
Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford is rightly receiving all the plaudits after his heroics in England's World Cup win over Mexico.
Much of the narrative pre-match was how the Three Lions would cope with the humidity and El Tri's excellent record at the Azteca Stadium.
But cope they did, and Thomas Tuchel's men are quarter-final bound after an absolute World Cup thriller.
Jude Bellingham's double had England in command, but Julian Quinones' effort three minutes before the break had the Three Lions rocked.
Jarrell Quansah's red card further hindered England, but Harry Kane's penalty proved enough, despite Raul Jimenez himself netting from the spot to set up a grandstand finish.
If it was not for Pickford, though, then England might not have been looking forward to the last eight and a date with Norway.
Alan Shearer in awe of what Everton ace Jordan Pickford did in England vs Mexico
There were several huge moments from Pickford in England's famous victory at the Azteca.
It was the Toffees' shot-stopper who launched the lightning counter from which Bellingham headed in the opener after good work from Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka.
He then clawed out a diving header from Jimenez in the 15th minute, which would have left England well and truly on the back foot.
But it was his save deep into first-half injury time, where he flung himself to the top-right corner to keep out Jimenez's header that really had BBC Sport co-commentator Alan Shearer in awe.
Lead commentator Guy Mowbray gasped: "Pickford with another beautiful stop! That was flying in from Raul Jimenez."
Shearer replied: "Again something similar, he whips it in from the left and that’s a brilliant header. Equally, superb save from Pickford. Two he’s got on the end of, two good saves from Pickford."
Jordan Pickford answers his England critics
Despite now owning 88 England caps, Pickford still cops for plenty of unfair criticism from pundits.
Indeed, during this tournament he has been the target of criticism, some justified, some not.
It was harsh in the extreme to suggest he could have saved Martin Baturina's effort for Croatia in England's opening 4-2 victory.
But Pickford himself will admit he probably should have saved Brian Cipenga's near-post drive in England's come-from-behind 2-1 victory over DR Congo in the last 32.
However, his performance against Mexico was right out of the top drawer, and he was every bit as influential as the likes of Bellingham, Kane, and Anthony Gordon, who all impressed for England.