Pickford’s Penalty Save Sees England Beat Chile in Extra Time (GFWC Round of 16 Match 54)

A Chapter by Steve Clark

The following articles highlight the process of Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) and their demise from the governance of international football and the rise of Global Futbol.

July 2nd, 2018 (GFWC Round of 16 Match 54)

Pickford’s Penalty Save Sees England Beat Chile in Extra Time

Chile 2-3 (et) England

Jordan Pickford has saved an Alexis Sánchez penalty deep into extra time and started a counterattack that led to a 120^thminute Welbeck winner to defeat Chile in the Round of 16 clash.

Prior to the game Chile had beaten England once in recent times, in the Men’s competitions of the new Physico Championship format.

Chile’s Silva was ruled out of playing due to a torn groin, while Aránguiz took his place in defensive midfield. England’s side remained unchanged.

The game began with both teams feeling each other’s weaknesses and easing into the game. Eventually, England started pressuring the Chilean defence. In the 17^th minute, Lingard found himself free in the box. His shot from a tight angle went out off the post.

Chile’s chances then arose out of the ensuing counterattack. Vidal had a decent shot saved by Pickford, and in the same play, Fuenzalida’s header flew across the face of goal. With Pickford saving another Chilean shot, it was clear he would not let Chile score at any cost.

For long periods, the ball travelled between the middle third of Rostov Arena, with no team able to create decent chances.

During this, England worked back into the game and scored twice before halftime. Sterling outclassed Chilean defender Mena for the ball and strode towards goal. He tapped it to Young, who managed to stay onside, before tapping for goal between Bravo and the post. Eight minutes later, Kane sent a long through ball into the path of Lingard. He tapped with his left, then when seemingly ready to shoot, Lingard brought the ball back to his left and fired around an advancing Bravo.

Two goals down, the Chileans needed to gain ascendancy in the middle of the park. England fought against this and once again, the two teams played mostly in the middle third, as they could not find a way beyond the defensive lines. The England defence managed to block a Chilean shot, while Bravo was needed to save Lingard’s attempt at a second goal.

As the England supporters’ voice grew, Chile made a last gasp to wrestle back two goals. Against the run of play, Sánchez caught Pickford way out of goal due to his run behind the English defence, however, his shot dribbled across the face of goal. Walker failed to clear the ball, instead knocking the ball into substitute González. The rebound ended near the penalty spot, where Fuenzalida ran in and scored into a relatively open goal despite Pickford’s attempt. Eight minutes later, Chile levelled the score. Again, González had an impact. He strode down in the left-hand side of the box and as he shot, defender Stones managed to get his body in the way. The ball shifted slightly to the advantage of Vargas, who fired through Cahill’s legs and into the net.

Sánchez then nearly scored in injury time, only for Pickford to close down the angle enough to save the ball and Henderson to clear.

With such a comeback, Chile felt their momentum would carry through to extra time. Their first chance was saved once again by Pickford, who managed 12 saves throughout the game. Another Chile chance came in the second half of extra time, only for Vidal to fire overhead.

For England, Rashford had an opportunity, but the shot was far too soft to outclass Bravo.

With the game seemingly heading for penalties, the referee gave Chile a penalty after some scuffling in the box. Sánchez stepped up to win the game for the Chileans. However, he stuttered in his run up, trying to outsmart Pickford, only to poke the ball straight into the hands of the English keeper.

England immediately counterattacked down the left to try and finish the game once and for all. Eventually, Rashford found himself clear heading towards goal. He snuck the ball into the 6-yard box, in front of a leading Welbeck. The ball barely missed Jara’s slide, but Welbeck would not miss the goal, sending the English crowd into jubilation and the nation into the Quarter Finals.

England now will look to the game against Brazil. They know they have the best chance and will relish the opportunity to take on yet another South America juggernaut.

Meanwhile, Chile will need to protect Sánchez from the social media outcry and work out what went wrong in their World Cup campaign to come back stronger in four years’ time.