Petit won't stop blasting Pickford after England beat Norway
DIRECT ANSWER: Former France midfielder Emmanuel Petit has doubled down on his attacks on Everton and England keeper Jordan Pickford after England's World Cup quarter-final win over Norway, insisting Pickford should have stopped Andreas Schjelderup's bizarre opener. The feud adds fresh heat to England No. 1 scrutiny familiar to past custodians like David Seaman.
Key Takeaways
- Petit slammed Pickford live on talkSPORT, saying the Everton keeper could "definitely" have done better on Schjelderup's cross-come-shot.
- Shay Given, Gary Neville, Ian Wright and Roy Keane also questioned Pickford after Norway's opener in Miami.
- Former England goalkeeper Jack Butland defended Pickford on talkSPORT, calling the goal impossible to prepare for.
- England beat Norway after extra time, ending Antonio Nusa's World Cup run despite the first-half controversy.
- Thomas Tuchel has stood by Pickford throughout the tournament.
England's 2026 World Cup run has been dramatic, but few moments sparked stranger debate than Andreas Schjelderup's opener against Jordan Pickford in Miami. The Norway winger hammered a ball over Pickford's head that clipped in off the back post, leaving pundits arguing whether it was a shot or the "greatest cross of this World Cup."
England recovered to level before halftime through Jude Bellingham and eventually won after extra time, with Bellingham completing his brace to end Norway's fairytale. Yet the spotlight stayed fixed on Pickford — and on one critic who refuses to let it go.
What did Emmanuel Petit say about Jordan Pickford?
According to Goodison News, Petit went on talkSPORT on Tuesday and showed no mercy. When asked about the goal, the former Arsenal and France midfielder replied: "Tell me about the goal he conceded? Come on. Of course [he could have done better], definitely."
Petit added that Pickford "probably thought it was a cross instead of a shot, but he's a goalkeeper, he has to be careful about that." He also pointed to England's defenders looking surprised after the ball went in.
This is not new for Petit. Goodison News reported he was already negative after England's win over Mexico, saying he was "surprised" Pickford had made "some good saves." Even after Pickford "starred" against Norway, Petit has not shifted his stance.
Why are other pundits split on Pickford's Norway goal?
On RTÉ, Shay Given was "decisively unimpressed." "I think, personally, this is a cross, but that doesn't stop Jordan Pickford from going for it," Given said, arguing the keeper appeared to take his hand away.
The ITV panel largely agreed. Gary Neville said: "It's a cross, but the goalkeeper has to save it. That can't go in your net from there." Ian Wright felt Pickford wrongly assumed the ball was going wide, while Roy Keane said the England No. 1 "would be disappointed with that."
Yet former England teammate Jack Butland offered a goalkeeper's rebuttal on talkSPORT. He called it "the only one you can't prepare for," noting Pickford was well placed for a cut-back or normal strike but could not cover a looping top-corner effort without surrendering something else. When Petit was told about Butland's defence, he laughed.
How did England vs Norway end for Pickford and Nusa?
Despite the first-half furore, England advanced. RB Leipzig reported that Norway, in their first World Cup quarter-final in 28 years, were beaten after extra time having been in a winning position at the Hard Rock Stadium.
Antonio Nusa nearly changed the story late on, firing through a crowd in the 85th minute only for Pickford to stay alert. Nusa had made an immediate impact after coming on in the 68th minute, but Jude Bellingham's extra-time brace sent England through and left the RB Leipzig winger sunk on the turf.
For Pickford, the result may quiet some critics but not Petit. Thomas Tuchel has backed his No. 1 all summer, yet the bizarre Schjelderup goal keeps fueling one of the World Cup's oddest feuds. For more offbeat sports rows, see our Bizarre News & Florida Man coverage.