Sign up to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter sent straight to your inbox for free Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter
Jordan Henderson said he will “forever be in the debt” of Jordan Pickford after the goalkeeper’s penalty heroics stopped Henderson’s miss from costing England a place in the World Cup quarter-finals.
Liverpool captain Henderson had a penalty saved by David Ospina on Tuesday night, but Colombia missed two, Pickford famously saving from Carlos Bacca, for England to win the shoot-out 4-3.
Henderson and Pickford, both from Sunderland, embraced afterwards. Henderson thanked Pickford for saving the team, as well as his own reputation, with that crucial save from Bacca.
“I thanked him, I can't thank him enough,” Henderson said after Tuesday’s game. “I am forever in his debt. He says the Mackems stick together!” Pickford says that he said to Henderson: “Jesus, I’ve helped you out there lad.”
England vs Colombia penalty shootoutShow all 35 1 /35England vs Colombia penalty shootout England vs Colombia penalty shootout England celebrate after winning the penalty shootout
AP
England vs Colombia penalty shootout Colombia and England players during the penalty shootout
REUTERS
England vs Colombia penalty shootout Radamel Falcao scored the first penalty for Colombia
REUTERS
England vs Colombia penalty shootout
Getty Images
England vs Colombia penalty shootout Harry Kane scored England's first
REUTERS
England vs Colombia penalty shootout England players react
REUTERS
England vs Colombia penalty shootout Juan Cuadrado scored Colombia's second penalty
REUTERS
England vs Colombia penalty shootout Marcus Rashford scores England's second penalty
REUTERS
England vs Colombia penalty shootout
REUTERS
England vs Colombia penalty shootout Luis Muriel scored Colombia's third penalty
REUTERS
England vs Colombia penalty shootout Luis Muriel celebrates scoring
REUTERS
England vs Colombia penalty shootout Colombia's team players react
AFP/Getty Images
England vs Colombia penalty shootout Jordan Henderson has his penalty saved
Reuters
England vs Colombia penalty shootout Jordan Henderson reacts after missing a penalty
REUTERS
England vs Colombia penalty shootout Mateus Uribe took Colombia's fourth and hit the bar
EPA
England vs Colombia penalty shootout Mateus Uribe reacts after he missed
REUTERS
England vs Colombia penalty shootout
REUTERS
England vs Colombia penalty shootout Kieran Trippier scored England's fourth penalty
REUTERS
England vs Colombia penalty shootout Kieran Trippier celebrating scoring
Getty Images
England vs Colombia penalty shootout
REUTERS
England vs Colombia penalty shootout Jordan Pickford saves the fifth penalty from Carlos Bacca
Getty Images
England vs Colombia penalty shootout Jordan Pickford saves Carlos Bacca's penalty
REUTERS
England vs Colombia penalty shootout Eric Dier scores England's fifth penalty, winning them the shootout
Getty Images
England vs Colombia penalty shootout
REUTERS
England vs Colombia penalty shootout David Ospina reacts after losing
AP
England vs Colombia penalty shootout Jordan Pickford reacts during the penalty shootout
EPA
England vs Colombia penalty shootout England's players celebrate after they defeated Colombia
AP
England vs Colombia penalty shootout Luis Muriel and Radamel Falcao commiserate with a team mate after defeat
PA
England vs Colombia penalty shootout England players race to Jordan Pickford
Getty Images
England vs Colombia penalty shootout Jordan Pickford is mobbed by teammates
Getty Images
England vs Colombia penalty shootout England's players celebrate after winning the penalty shootout
AFP/Getty Images
England vs Colombia penalty shootout
PA
England vs Colombia penalty shootout Colombia react after losing
EPA
England vs Colombia penalty shootout
AFP/Getty Images
England vs Colombia penalty shootout Harry Kane and Jesse Lingard celebrate winning the penalty shootout
REUTERS
Henderson was closely supported by team-mates including Kieran Trippier following his miss, which he said was testament to the bonds in the squad. “We are a really close group, I think you can see that,” Henderson said. “It's difficult when you miss. Nothing can be said that’s going to make it alright. But it's not about me and it doesn’t really matter now.”
While Henderson’s miss will be forgotten soon enough, Pickford’s save will be remembered forever. That, and his athletic dive to his left to keep out a volley from Uribe just before Colombia’s equaliser made this a memorable game for the young goalkeeper. Those two saves were also a riposte of sorts to Thibaut Courtois, after the the Chelsea and Belgium keeper joked that Pickford was not tall enough to keep out Adnan Januzaj’s goal in Kaliningrad last week.
Henderson said he was delighted for Pickford in part because of that. “He got a bit of criticism last week, undeservedly so, I am so happy for him to achieve that tonight,” Henderson said. “He made some fantastic saves in the game, delighted for him delighted for everyone.”
Henderson's miss proved not to be costly (REUTERS) (Reuters) Pickford said that he did not mind what other goalkeepers said about his height or his style. “It doesn't annoy me,” he said. “I know if I can do better, I know myself straight away. It doesn't take people to criticise me. I had a right go at the Belgium save, and if I save it people would say 'what a save'. If any other keeper in the tournament had a go like that, and it goes in, nothing would have been said.”
Eric Dier revealed that Southgate told him before the shoot-out that he would be taking the fifth penalty, rather than Dier having to volunteer for it. Southgate had checked the injury status of the players on the pitch - Vardy was feeling tightness - which is why DIer took the crucial kick. Dier revealed how nervous he was before taking it.
Colombia vs England: Story of the gameShow all 100 1 /100Colombia vs England: Story of the game Colombia vs England: Story of the game England's players celebrate after defeated Colombia in a penalty shootout
AP
Colombia vs England: Story of the game The England players line up
Getty Images
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Former Colombian football player Valderrama during the national anthem
AFP/Getty Images
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Colombia players gather in a circle prior to the match
AP
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Harry Kane heads at goal
REUTERS
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Dele Alli reacts
AFP/Getty Images
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Harry Kane is challenged by Santiago Arias
Getty Images
Colombia vs England: Story of the game England fans cheer
AP
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Juan Cuadrado and Harry Maguire go up for the ball
AP
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Harry Kane heads towards goal next to Yerry Mina
AFP/Getty Images
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Jordan Henderson argues with referee Mark Geiger
AFP/Getty Images
Colombia vs England: Story of the game A Colombia fan cheers
AFP/Getty Images
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Kieran Trippier kicks the ball
AFP/Getty Images
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Johan Mojica and Dele Alli compete for the ball
EPA
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Ashley Young falls against Santiago Arias
AFP/Getty Images
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Raheem Sterling on the ball
AFP/Getty Images
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Gareth Southgate gestures towards Dele Alli
REUTERS
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Radamel Falcao gestures
AP
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Harry Maguire reacts
REUTERS
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Juan Cuadrado is fouled by Harry Maguire
Getty Images
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Falcao argues withKieran Trippier
AP
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Harry Kane fouled by Jefferson Lerma
Getty Images
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Harry Kane fouled by Jefferson Lerma
Getty Images
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Jesse Lingard and team mates react after Jordan Henderson goes down following a clash with Wilmar Barrios
REUTERS
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Colombia and England players clash while Harry Maguire makes a VAR gesture
REUTERS
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Jordan Henderson reacts after Wilmar Barrios headbutts him
Getty Images
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Wilmar Barrios is shown a yellow card by referee Mark Geiger
REUTERS
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Kieran Trippier gestures
AFP/Getty Images
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Jordan Hendersonin action against Jefferson Lerma
EPA
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Dele Alli lies on the pitch
Getty Images
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Raheem Sterling being barged by a member of the Colombia coaching staff at the end of the first half
ITV
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Kyle Walker
REUTERS
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Carlos Sanchez holds Harry Kane in front of referee Mark Geiger to concede a penalty
Getty Images
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Carlos Sanchez fouls Harry Kane
AFP/Getty Images
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Carlos Sanchez fouling Harry Kane
AP
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Carlos Sanchez fouls Harry Kane
EPA
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Carlos Sanchez fouls Harry Kane
REUTERS
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Carlos Sanchez is shown a yellow card by referee Mark Geiger
REUTERS
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Jordan Henderson is shown a yellow card by referee Mark Geiger
REUTERS
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Harry Kane scores the opening goal from a penalty
Getty Images
Colombia vs England: Story of the game
AP
Colombia vs England: Story of the game
REUTERS
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Harry Kane celebrates scoring the first goal
REUTERS
Colombia vs England: Story of the game
Getty Images
Colombia vs England: Story of the game
REUTERS
Colombia vs England: Story of the game
AFP/Getty Images
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Gareth Southgate celebrates England's opening goal
Getty Images
Colombia vs England: Story of the game
AP
Colombia vs England: Story of the game England's players celebrate the opening goal
AFP/Getty Images
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Radamel Falcao is shown a yellow card by referee Mark Geiger
REUTERS
Colombia vs England: Story of the game James Rodriguez reacts in the stands
EPA
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Ashley Young lies on the pitch after sustaining an injury
REUTERS
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Radamel Falcao appeals to the referee
PA
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Harry Kane jumps for the ball
REUTERS
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Raheem Sterling reacts
Getty Images
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Jesse Lingard being tackled by Davinson Sanchez in the penalty area
Getty Images
Colombia vs England: Story of the game
REUTERS
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Harry Kane cools down
PA
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Dele Alli is congratulated by Gareth Southgate after being replaced
Getty Images
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Juan Cuadrado reacts
AFP/Getty Images
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Harry Kane watches the ball on the net
AFP/Getty Images
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Radamel Falcao reacts
REUTERS
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Kyle Walker reacts next to Jordan Pickford
AFP/Getty Images
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Colombia fans react
AFP/Getty Images
Colombia vs England: Story of the game The fourth official announces five minutes of injury time
PA
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Raheem Sterling embraces Gareth Southgate after being substituted
AP
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Jordan Pickford makes a save
Getty Images
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Yerry Mina scores
REUTERS
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Jordan Pickford concedes a goal scored by Yerry Mina
REUTERS
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Yerry Mina celebrates after scoring Colombia's equalising goal
REUTERS
Colombia vs England: Story of the game England players look dejected after conceding
REUTERS
Colombia vs England: Story of the game
Getty Images
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Yerry Mina celebrates with fans
REUTERS
Colombia vs England: Story of the game James Rodriguez celebrates from the stands after Yerry Mina scored
AP
Colombia vs England: Story of the game John Stones and Harry Maguire hug
PA
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Yerry Mina celebrates scoring
Peter Dovgan/UK Sports Pics Ltd
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Gareth Southgate speaks with players before extra time
Reuters
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Colombia coach Jose Pekerman speaks with players before extra time
REUTERS
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Ashley Young clashes with Wilmar Barrios
REUTERS
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Jordan Pickford makes a save
AP
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Jamie Vardy jumps for the ball with Yerry Mina
AP
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Luis Muriel and Kieran Trippier react
EPA
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Jordan Henderson sits injured
PA
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Jamie Vardy tries to shoot
AP
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Carlos Bacca vies with Kyle Walker
AFP/Getty Images
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Kyle Walker reacts as he holds his leg
REUTERS
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Danny Rose reacts as his shot goes wide
REUTERS
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Radamel Falcao scores first for Colombia during the penalty shootout
REUTERS
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Harry Kane scores the first penalty for England
REUTERS
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Juan Cuadrado scores Colombia's second penalty
REUTERS
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Marcus Rashford scored England's second penalty
REUTERS
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Luis Muriel celebrates scoring Colombia's third penalty
REUTERS
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Jordan Henderson reacts after missing England's third penalty
REUTERS
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Mateus Uribe hits the bar when taking Colombia's fourth penalty
EPA
Colombia vs England: Story of the game
REUTERS
Colombia vs England: Story of the game Jordan Pickford saves Carlos Bacca's penalty
REUTERS
Colombia vs England: Story of the game
Getty Images
Colombia vs England: Story of the game
REUTERS
Colombia vs England: Story of the game
AP
Colombia vs England: Story of the game
PA
“At the time, I don't really know what I was thinking about to be honest,” he said. “While you're waiting to take it it's nerve-wracking. But once I walked up, when I was going to take it I was quite calm to be honest. I was very nervous while standing waiting but once I walked up there, I was alright."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies