Ian Wright disagreed with Gary Neville’s assessment of Jordan Pickford in the Euro 2020 semi-final for England against Denmark.
Pickford failed to keep out a free-kick from Denmark star Mikkel Damsgaard who gave his country the lead at Wembley Stadium.
England weren’t behind for long as a Simon Kjaer own goal saw Gareth Southgate’s side go into the half time interval all square.
At the half time break, ITV pundits Ian Wright and Gary Neville debated whether Pickford could have done more to prevent Denmark from taking the lead.
“Most definitely (should have done better),” Neville said. “I think we feared the worst when the free-kick was being lined up.
“The goal was coming, Denmark were getting through us far too easily, our back four were getting pulled apart.
“It’s a long way out, I always say if it’s in the corner no problem, but the ball goes in the centre of the net and your goalkeeper has got to save that.
“The big problem is he’s blocked and he doesn’t see it till too late, but he’s got to get himself in the position whereby he can go, it’s right above him almost, and he’ll be really disappointed.”
However, Wright disagreed with Neville’s assessment, believing the criticism of the Everton stopper was “very harsh”.
Wright said: “I know what you’re saying, Gary, about where it’s gone in the goal, but the wall and the strike, Damsgaard deserves a lot of praise for the way he’s hit that ball.
“Jordan Pickford sees that right at the death.
“Honestly I think that’s very harsh, simply because they have targeted him and you’ve got to give Damsgaard credit for that free-kick.”
