Why Everton star Jordan Pickford deserves an apology from Jude Bellingham

Everton ace Jordan Pickford so nearly kept England alive against Argentina on Wednesday.

The shot-stopper has faced under mixed reviews at the World Cup after a mix of stunning saves and lapses in concentration.

His failing against DR Congo didn't go down well, but he then went on to play a starring role against Mexico.

That then continued against Norway as the Three Lions booked their place in the semi-final.

Lionel Messi and Co. lied in wait and it felt as if it was finally England's time when Anthony Gordon scored the opener.

Pickford did his utmost to send his side to the final and was ultimately given no chance by Thomas Tuchel.

Thomas Tuchel let Jordan Pickford down

Things were always going to be difficult against Argentina as they know exactly how to win.

The Three Lions were always going to require a monumental performance to do anything, and they got that from the Everton man.

Goodison News previously covered Pickford's star performances for England and that continued on Wednesday.

He made four top-class saves, with his stops against Julian Alvarez, Nicolas Gonzalez and Enzo Fernandez being particularly special.

The 32-year-old also won 100 per cent of his attempted ground duels and completed 23 passes.

His performance should have been enough to see out a positive result, but Tuchel brought on Ezri Konsa, Dan Burn and Nico O'Reilly to try and see out the game with six defenders on the pitch.

That didn't work and just invited more pressure and ultimately allowed Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez to get past Pickford to book a place in the final.

Jude Bellingham has no right to make Pickford comment

If Tuchel's decisions weren't bad enough, it was massively frustrating to see the Everton man's international teammates taking aim at him.

Fernandez found the net with a stunning equaliser as his strike from the edge of the box curled into the far corner.

Pickford had little chance, but that didn't stop Jude Bellingham from moaning.

He was caught on camera saying: "It's the middle of the goal."

That would be fair if he had put in some sort of star performance, but he was largely anonymous on the night.

By comparison, Pickford was integral to keeping the Three Lions going for as long as they did.

The Everton star deserves more respect and will shortly get that when he returns to Merseyside.