In a thrilling Euro 2024 quarter-final match, England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford revealed a clever strategy that helped his team secure a 5-3 penalty shootout victory over Switzerland after a 1-1 draw. Pickford’s secret weapon? A water bottle cheat sheet.
The Clever Strategy
Sharp-eyed fans and media noticed that Pickford had written instructions on his water bottle to guide him during the penalty shootout. Each instruction detailed the preferred penalty direction of the Swiss players. For example, against Switzerland’s defender Manuel Akanji, Pickford’s bottle indicated “dive left”—a direction he followed successfully, helping his team advance to the semi-finals.
The Bottle’s Role
Throughout the match, Pickford used the bottle’s cheat sheet to make crucial saves. Although he didn’t save every penalty, the strategy was instrumental in England’s win. The bottle became an online sensation, with fans humorously comparing it to exam cheat sheets. One Instagram user joked, “The bottle performed better than most of the players in this match,” while another commented, “But when I did this for my GCSEs, they took my water bottle away.”
Moving to the Semi-Finals
With this victory, England now faces the Netherlands in the semi-finals on July 10. Fans are hoping Pickford has another water bottle ready with fresh instructions for the Dutch players.
Unexpected Moments
The match wasn’t without its surprises. Gareth Southgate, England’s manager, made unexpected substitutions in the 78th minute, bringing on Eberechi Eze, Luke Shaw, and Cole Palmer while the substitution board mistakenly showed Jude Bellingham’s number, causing brief confusion. According to Carl Anka of The Athletic, this mix-up might have been due to Southgate’s pre-planned substitution strategy.
Looking Ahead
As England prepares for their next match, Pickford’s water bottle strategy stands out as a creative and effective tool in high-pressure situations. Fans and players alike are eagerly anticipating the upcoming semi-final, hoping for another strong performance from their team and its resourceful goalkeeper.
