Revealed: Jordan Pickford’s penalty shoot-out ‘cheat sheet’ – How England goalkeeper’s homework helped him stop Switzerland… with the aid of his water bottle

Jordan Pickford used a water bottle ‘cheat sheet’ of Switzerland’s penalties to mastermind England’s shoot-out success, it can be revealed.

Pickford has now saved four of the 14 penalties he has faced in shoot-outs at major tournaments – and has his homework to thank for stopping Manuel Akanji’s kick.

Manchester City‘s Akanji stepped up to take the first penalty of the game and looked nervous whilst Pickford stared him down.

But it turned out the Swiss defender had a reason to be. Pickford knew where the 28-year-old was going before he even hit the ball.

His note, printed out and stuck to the bottle, read: ‘Dive left’. Pickford duly did and set England on their way.

It appears Pickford can thank his water bottle for the crucial save as a cheat sheet was imprinted onto it 

Pickford dived to save Manuel Akanji’s spot-kick, the only missed penalty of the entire shootout

Pickford followed his list for three of the four Swiss spot-kicks, only ignoring it for the second penalty, taken by Fabian Schar.

His cheat sheet instructed him to ‘fake right, dive left’ but he ended up doing the opposite as the Newcastle defender found the net. Had he stuck to his list he may have also been able to save it. 

Next up to face Pickford was former Liverpool player Xherdan Shaqiri. Not to be sent the wrong way again, Pickford decided to follow the advice printed out on his water bottle. 

He dived left, with Shaqiri shooting in the same direction but his strike had too much power on it and Pickford was beaten.

Pickford’s last penalty opponent was Zeki Amdouni and although he was unable to make the save, his cheat sheet proved partially correct again.

Telling him to ‘hold, dive left, go low’, Pickford followed the instructions but although the ‘go low’ was right’, the direction was wrong as the Burnley midfielder opted to shoot down the middle instead.  

England were perfect with all five of their penalties as Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka and Ivan Toney scored before Trent Alexander-Arnold sent Yann Sommer the wrong way to seal their place in the semi-finals.

Pickford has previously been spotted with penalty cheat-sheets on his water bottle when playing for England and Everton.

He has now has saved four of the 14 penalties he has faced in shootouts at major tournaments, double the number of all other England goalkeepers combined saved between 1990 and 2012, according to Opta.

Pickford joined in the celebrations as England’s stars rushed towards the goalkeeper and match-winner Alexander-Arnold, who appeared to have been brought on by Southgate specifically to take a penalty. 

Pickford’s homework payed off as he dove right for two of the four penalties he faced

The England goalkeeper celebrated with Trent Alexander-Arnold, who scored the winning penalty

Pickford also distracted Switzerland players during the penalty shoot-out by pulling faces

‘Picko [Pickford] made an amazing save at the start of the shootout, which gives you that confidence,’ the Liverpool star told the BBC. 

‘It’s what we practice. A lot of practice goes into that moment, the moments that I enjoy.

‘Every game so far has gone to extra time in the quarter-finals. There are tight margins and it was the finest of margins today, but we’ve been able to win.’ 

Pickford was also seen making faces at Switzerland players before they each took their penalty, prompting fans to hail his ‘s***housery masterclass’.

Referee Daniele Orsato having to go over and speak to him about his antics on more than one occasion. 

England will face either the Netherlands or Turkey in the semi-finals of the Euros in Dortmund on Wednesday.