Pickford clean sheet gets England U21s off to perfect start in Toulon Tournament

Sunderland goalkeeper Jordan Pickford shut out Portugal to help England Under-21s open their Toulon Tourtnament campaign with a single-goal victory tonight.
By The Newsroom
Published 19th May 2016, 20:56 BST
Updated 19th May 2016, 22:11 BST
Jordan PickfordJordan Pickford
Jordan Pickford

Pickford did not have the busiest night, but he had to be alert to make a fine save to keep out a long-range effort from Dalcio Gomes, when Portugal were the first side to threaten an opener in the 33rd minute.

Sunderland forward Duncan Watmore was withdrawn in the 57th minute, alongside Kasey Palmer, and the introduction of Cauley Woodrow and Nathan Redmond brought about an instant boost, with England ahead two minutes later.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Redmond’s attempted cross from the right was blocked by Ruben Dias and the ball fell to Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who laid it off to clubmate Lewis Baker for a simple but powerful finish.

Most Popular

Gareth Southgate’s side next meet Guinea on Monday.

England U21s: Pickford; Iorfa, Chambers, Hause, Chilwell; Chalobah; Ward-Prowse, Loftus-Cheek (Grealish 72), Baker (Grimes 79); Watmore (Woodrow 57), Palmer (Redmond 57). Subs not used: Gunn, Targett, Swift, Stephens, Holding

Related topics:Jordan PickfordSunderlandPortugal