Julián Álvarez stuns Jordan Pickford with perfect record ahead of England clash

Julián Álvarez has a perfect record against Jordan Pickford in their five Premier League meetings: and England’s goalkeeper will face the Argentine forward in the World Cup semi-final on Wednesday.

Pickford has never beaten Álvarez in five Premier League starts. The Manchester City striker scored in a 3-1 win over Everton on 27 December 2023, and also netted in a 3-1 victory on 27 December 2022. The only time Álvarez didn’t finish on the winning side was a 1-1 draw at the Etihad on 31 December 2022, when he came off the bench for three minutes.

England meet Argentina in the World Cup semi-final on Wednesday, their first clash since a 2002 group-stage win. Argentina have scored 17 goals in six games so far: four more than England’s 13. Álvarez’s goal in the quarter-final win over Switzerland adds to the Three Lions’ worries.

Pickford’s shaky moments in the tournament: including a soft goal against Croatia: have drawn criticism. But his club record against Álvarez gives the Argentina forward extra bite. The Everton shot-stopper will need a clean sheet against a side that’s scored in every game this World Cup.

England beat Argentina 1-0 in the 2002 World Cup group stage, David Beckham’s 44th-minute penalty the difference. Since then, Argentina have won the 2022 World Cup and added a Copa América title. Lionel Messi now leads a side chasing back-to-back trophies.

England’s path to the final includes a semi-final against Argentina on Wednesday. The match follows England’s 2-1 win over Norway in the quarter-finals, with Jude Bellingham scoring both goals.

Álvarez’s goal against Switzerland marked his first of the tournament. He’ll face Pickford again on Wednesday, a defender he’s never beaten in five attempts. England must stop Messi and Álvarez to reach their first World Cup final since 1966.