With football being such a global game, it's usual for goalkeepers to study the way their opponents will play, and even more, how they like to take penalties.
This aspect of the game worked like a charm for England's goalie Jordan Pickford, who admitted that his research on how Colombia's players took their spot kicks paid off on Tuesday.
Martyn Margetson, England's goalkeeping coach, helped Pickford in his research. The coach went on and handed the goalkeeper a bottle of water that included hints on how Colombian players took spot kicks.
Pickford guessed correctly three of Colombia's five spot kicks, and shared with British TV network ITV a few more details on how he managed to become England's PK shootout hero.
"I studied them prior to the competition. Out of those I faced, Falcao is the only one that didn't go the usual way. I don't care if I'm not the best goalie, but I have the power and agility to help us reach our goal," Pickford stated.
Colombia scored three of their goals during the penalty shootout. Pickford guessed correctly on two of those, which were taken by Cuadrado and Luis Muriel. The shot-stopper managed to distract Mateus Uribe enough to see him hit the bar, and he ended up saving Carlos Bacca's final shot.
