Jordan Pickford has done it again.
Another game, another clean sheet and England are through to the Euro 2020 semi-finals.
The Everton goalkeeper is yet to concede at the European Championships and had to be alert to keep that run going against Ukraine in the Three Lions’ 4-0 quarter-final victory, saving well at his near post to deny Roman Yaremchuk following a Kyle Walker error in the first half.
Yet this was arguably the shot-stopper’s shakiest performance so far at the tournament despite rarely being forced into action, with a couple of dicey clearances the only black mark on another strong performance.
Meanwhile, Dominic Calvert-Lewin was handed his longest run-out of the Euros so far as he was recalled to Gareth Southgate’s matchday squad after being left out against Germany.
Brought on for two-goal hero Harry Kane after 73-minutes with the match already won, the striker was unable to add to the scoring or his impressive goal return for his country.
Yet, with England’s victory coming at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, the Everton duo were handed a taste of what their club side wants most.
The Blues spent most of last season in European contention only to dip away in the final weeks of the campaign as hopes of Europa League or Europa Conference League football evaporated.
Finishing tenth, they were just three points short of their goal, with failings ultimately playing a small part in Carlo Ancelotti’s decision to walk out and return to Real Madrid.
Now, at the home of their former boss, who enjoyed eight years as a Roma player, Pickford and Calvert-Lewin were given a taste of what could have been.
The Stadio Olimpico is one of European football’s most iconic stadiums, home to both Roma and Lazio, hosting both World Cup and Champions League finals.
With the two Serie A giants regularly competing on the continental stage, it has become a desired stadium for fans and players alike to tick off the bucket list.
Yet Pickford, Calvert-Lewin and Everton will have to wait at least another 12-months to be able to make such a journey.
With Lazio finishing sixth and Roma finishing seventh in Serie A last season, the Blues could have realistically faced the prospect of a trip to Rome themselves in European football next season.
Instead, their England duo will travel home that's it for their European exploits for another year, with the Euro 2020 semi-finals and final both taking place at Wembley.
Now Pickford and Calvert-Lewin just have to use it as motivation to ensure they bring European football back to Goodison Park under new manager Rafa Benitez and ensure such trips become a more regular occurrence.
