Better than all the rest: Kane and Bellingham are OK, but Pickford is a true hero

It's always about those stars, forwards and attacking midfielders, right? Like Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham of England.

Those two are really remarkable players, but it needs to be said that the hero of contemporary England is the guy who stands on the other side of the pitch - Jordan Pickford.

The 30-year-old Everton keeper saved Manuel Akanji's spot kick in the penalty shootout against Switzerland in the EURO 2024 quarter-finals. Thanks to it, England celebrated a 5-3 victory in the penalty shootout that will see them face the Netherlands in the semi-final on Wednesday night.

They may be underperforming but they are getting the job done - Three Lions reach the semifinals

However, it was not Pickford's one-hit wonder since the immaculate custodian has done wonders for the national side throughout the years.

He has saved at least a penalty in every shootout he's played for England! It all started in the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia against Columbia, when he stopped Carlos Bacca's shot in the Round of 16 penalty shootout for a 4-3 win.

The following year, he was fatal for the Swiss team, as he saved one penalty and even scored from the spot to provide his side with an inaugural UEFA Nations League bronze medal.

Then, in the EURO 2020 showdown against Italy at Wembley, Pickford managed to save not one but two penalties (Bellotti and Jorginho), but even that wasn't enough for the Three Lions to avoid the excruciating defeat.

Finally, again against Switzerland on Saturday night, the Everton shot-stopper proved his class. Jordan Pickford used a secret sheet of notes taped to a drink bottle to help him determine how and where each Swiss player tended to shoot. This proved crucial in denying Akanji's effort.

Now, he has four penalty saves in the major tournaments for England and all other Three Lions keepers have just two altogether! Before Pickford, England had won one of seven penalty shootouts. With him, they've' won three of four, and - just as we mentioned - even in the one they lost, he saved two.

A true hero he is.

EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP - 1/2 FINALS

Tuesday

22.00: (2.70) Spain (3.05) France (3.15)

Wednesay

22.00: (3.15) Netherlands (3.10) England (2.60)

***odds are subject to change***