Three moments that prove Jordan Pickford deserves an apology as Alan Shearer wowed in England vs Argentina

Everton ace Jordan Pickford suffered more World Cup heartbreak wih England.

The Three Lions were beaten 2-1 by old rivals Argentina in Atlanta on Wednesday.

Former Toffees winger Anthony Gordon opened the scoring for England in the 55th minute.

But La Albiceleste awoke from a slumber after the goal and had England pegged back deep in their own half, eventually levelling through Enzo Fernandez's long-range effort.

Lautaro Martinez then thumped a header past Pickford in the second minute of injury time to consign England to a painful defeat.

But Pickford deserves an apology from those who criticised him earlier in the tournament, here are three moments that prove why.

Jordan Pickford keeps Julian Alvarez at bay

Goodison News extensively covered reaction to Jordan Pickford's error in England's quarter-final win versus Norway.

It was a moment he will want to forget admittedly, but the constant discourse around Pickford does get a little silly.

He has been an excellent servant to England, and he did his absolute best to keep Argentina at bay.

Indeed, shortly in the second half - after a drab first half - he made a really smart save at his near post from Julian Alvarez.

Alvarez then smashed a second effort into the side-netting, but had Pickford not been alert, England would have faced an uphill battle much earlier in the game.

Jordan Pickford wows Alan Shearer

Having done his part to keep the scores level, Pickford then watched as Gordon side-footed England into the lead.

England seemed almost terrified by finding themselves ahead, though, and were continued to sit deeper and deeper as Argentina hassled and harried the Three Lions' defence.

Indeed, shortly before the second-half hydration break, Lionel Messi played a dangerous whipped ball into the area that Nico Gonzalez with a thumping header.

Pickford flung himself low to his right and made a stupendous save, which BBC Sport commentator Guy Mowbray and co-commentator Alan Shearer gushed over.

"My goodness his reactions were razor sharp," Mowbray gasped.

Shearer replied: "That is superb. Look at his reactions, how quickly he gets down Pickford. He gets that right hand to it and is able to push it away."

Pickford delays the inevitable for England

Shortly before Fernandez levelled for Argentina, the Chelsea man was denied by Pickford.

The central midfielder took aim from range, and Pickford did well to tip his effort over the crossbar.

In truth, all it did was delay the inevitable, as England were penned in so deep.

But, Pickford can hold his head high knowing that he proved a lot of pundits wrong against Argentina.

It will be scant consolation after the event, but a lot of people have a lot of words to eat when it becomes to Everton's shot-stopper.