London: Jordan Pickford went past Gordan Bank’s record of 720 minutes without conceding a goal as England beat Denmark 2-1 in the Euro 2020 semifinals for a place in Sunday’s summit clash. England will meet Italy in the final on Sunday.
Pickford achieved the feat on 26th but the Everton goalie could have extended it much more had he not conceded on the half-hour mark. The English shot-stopper’s non-goal-conceding spree was broken after Mikkel Damsgaard scored a freekick past him. Pickford’s record lasted 725 minutes.
Banks had previously set a record of going 720 minutes without conceding a goal between May and July in 1966. Banks also played a crucial part in England’s only World Cup win the same year.
Pickford has always impressed boss Gareth Southgate’s and played the entire 2018 World Cup where England reached the semifinals in Russia. Pickford was one of the standout performers in Russia as he saved Colombia’s Carlos Bacca’s spot-kick to give England their second first penalty shootout win after the 1996 Euro.
At the Euro 2020, Pickford has been brilliant producing five clean sheets until Damsgaard scored. He is also a top contender for the Golden Glove as his counterpart Italy’s Gianluigi Donnarumma has only three clean sheets.
Pickford’s brilliance will be tested once more on Saturday as England play their first major final since 1966 to bring home their maiden European Championship trophy.
