England ace Jordan Pickford forgot he wasn’t playing for Everton on Monday night as he tried to enter the wrong dressing room during half-time of the Three Lions’ 3-0 victory over Bosnia. The goalkeeper was handed his 61st cap as England played their penultimate warm-up game ahead of Euro 2024.
Pickford was named in Gareth Southgate’s starting line-up against Bosnia and kept the opposition at bay during the opening 45 minutes as the first half ended without either team finding the back of the net.
And after Pickford had made his way down the tunnel at the interval, his muscle memory took over as he made his way into the away dressing room.
After realising his error, he then made a dash to the home dressing room, where the England players had based themselves ahead of the clash.
Pickford has established himself as Southgate’s go-to man between the sticks and is set to be England’s No 1 once again at Euro 2024.
The former Sunderland shot-stopper has been England’s goalkeeper for their last 19 matches at major tournaments, having been selected in Southgate’s squads for Euro 2020 and the World Cups in 2018 and 2022.
And he has been lauded for his performances in a Three Lions shirt, despite coming under fire for his Everton form in the past.
Southgate’s faith in Pickford was mirrored by the Everton man earlier this year after suggestions the 53-year-old could be set to depart the Three Lions.
And after being asked whether the speculation over the boss’ future affected the players, Pickford explained: “I think there’s no difference. I think there’s one goal and that’s to win a European trophy.
“Us as players – and I think the manager and the staff – that’s all our goal is, to be focused on winning the European Championship. I think all the noise around anything else will probably come after that.
“His character has not changed. He’s a top man manager and he’s got a great set of staff around him. The training’s always good with the manager and everything we do is good.”
England were given a tough match against Bosnia in front of a crowd of over 50,000 at St James’ Park as they struggled to find a route to goal. But Cole Palmer opened the scoring an hour into the match from the penalty spot.
Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold then made the game safe by volleying the ball into the corner of the net five minutes before the end, before Harry Kane added a third late on.
