Twenty-eight years after David Beckham's infamous sending off against Argentina, Jordan Pickford has insisted Thomas Tuchel's England will not fall for the same dark arts — and will instead let their football do the talking.
England face La Albiceleste in the World Cup semi-finals this week, just 90 minutes from a place in the final. The last time the two nations met at this stage, in 1998, Beckham was sent off for kicking out at Diego Simeone, a moment that defined a generation of Three Lions heartbreak.
“Jordan Pickford insists England will not fall for Argentina's dark arts ahead of World Cup semi-final.”
But Pickford, now England's all-time World Cup appearance holder with 18 caps, believes the current squad is too streetwise to be drawn into that kind of trouble. "We haven't gotten into any scuffles or anything," the goalkeeper said. "We've been very respectful within the game. Decisions go our way, they don't go our way, we just reset, we go again and we let the football do the talking."
Beckham, despite his past, has thrown his weight behind the team. Not only did he let England use Inter Miami's training facilities, he passionately cheered them on from the stands against Norway at the Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday.
Pickford is well aware of the fiery history but sees no value in getting embroiled in it. "It's just a game of football," he said. "Both passionate fans are going there to watch a top-level game. It brings fans together, it brings the nations together. We're both proud nations. The football will do its talking."
England have avoided any suspensions or second yellow cards throughout the tournament, with Pickford pointing to that discipline as proof of their mentality. "Apart from Jarell [Quansah], we've not had any suspensions or second yellow cards or anything like that. It just shows the mentality we have and we don't get wrapped up in sort of things like that. We stay focused and we stay together."
With Argentina known for their own brand of gamesmanship, Pickford's warning carries weight. The Three Lions know what is at stake — and the lesson of 1998 is one they refuse to repeat.
