Bellingham's furious reaction to Pickford as England fall to Argentina in World Cup semi-final

Jude Bellingham visibly vented his frustration at Jordan Pickford after Argentina equalised in England’s 2-1 World Cup semi-final defeat at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, with cameras catching the Real Madrid midfielder appearing to mouth “it’s the middle of the goal” while watching a stadium replay of Enzo Fernandez’s long-range strike.

Fernandez had scored from distance following a short corner, with Pickford diving to his right but unable to keep the ball out. Bellingham had been the only England player attempting to close Fernandez down at the time of the shot, meaning he had no direct view of the goal — only the replay.

Gary Neville was equally unsparing in his assessment of the Everton goalkeeper. “Not gone in the corner, that — he’s got to save that. Got to save it. He’s past it,” the former Manchester United and England defender said. Neville also criticised Pickford for failing to claim an earlier shot: “Don’t let him shoot from there. Got to catch that. It’s straight at him.”

Roy Keane took a different view, choosing to credit the goalscorer rather than blame the goalkeeper. “What a strike, what a strike that is,” Keane said. “The keeper gets nowhere near it — it’s the power.”

Keane had also flagged England’s defensive passivity before the decisive moments arrived. Neville echoed that concern, saying before the goal: “We have stopped playing, we’ve sat back. We’re sleeping.”

The winning goal came from substitute Lautaro Martinez, whose header from a Lionel Messi assist proved decisive. Keane had predicted Martinez would score, and Ian Wright acknowledged as much afterwards: “You had 2-1 Argentina.” Keane, smirking, replied: “Who had 2-1 Argentina? Me?”

Keane reserved particular admiration for Messi’s assist, which came from his weaker foot. “We are watching greatness here, I am telling you. Appreciate it, seriously,” he said.