Jordan Pickford played down his penalty heroics as England Under-21s kicked-off their Euro campaign with a draw against Sweden.
The Young Lions goalkeeper kept out Linus Wahlqvist’s late spot-kick to earn a 0-0 draw in Kielce on Friday and get Aidy Boothroyd’s side up and running in Group A.
But Pickford, who sealed a record-breaking transfer from Sunderland to Everton two days before the game, was honest enough in his assessment of the role a goalkeeper plays in saving penalties.
“It’s pot luck sometimes, but I was confident,” he said.
“You practice but when it comes down to it you never know where their lad’s going to go. It’s guessing to a degree but you go with your instincts.
“It’s a 50-50 chance, you never know but I enjoy it.
“You don’t know how confident or nervous he’s going to be before he takes it.
“He might have been nervous or I might have made him change his mind.
“I held my ground and didn’t dive until late. I’ve made that big save at the big moment. It’s what I keep saying – I make big saves.
“I wasn’t expecting one. I’ve been practising, but big game, big moment, big save.”
