Jordan Pickford: the Englishman outshining his heralded counterparts

And following Belgium's 2-1 victory versus Brazil to reach the World Cup semi-final, Courtois continued to talk about Pickford by making it clear he thinks the England global is a "great goalkeeper".

The Everton player was criticised after conceding Adnan Januzaj's victor in a group-stage 1-0 loss to Belgium, including by his Belgian counterpart Thibaut Courtois, who said he was too small.

Subasic, who plays for Monaco in the French league, has been Croatia's hero in successive penalty-shootout wins in the knockout stage, saving four spot kicks in total.

"I actually predicted we would get knocked out to Colombia in the last 16 so I was already anxious".

"I don't care if I'm not the biggest keeper, I've got that power and agility and I'm very good at penalties".

"Pickford, for me, is the sort of prototype of what a modern goalkeeper should be", he said.

Eric Dier's winning penalty against Colombia secured their first ever World Cup penalties victory and Southgate's men went to 8/1 from 9/1 on Friday to go all the way against Sweden as well.

"If called upon again in a penalty shoot-out I would fully expect him to make the saves for us to get through".

England will now face Sweden on Saturday in a game that could see them reach the semi-finals for the first time in 28 years.

England went 1-0 up through a Harry Kane penalty in normal time before Colombia equalised with just minutes left, but Gareth Southgate's team triumphed 4-3 on penalties to secure a quarter-final against Sweden.

"It is all about the set position and I got a hand to it".

"Jordan Pickford proved in the last game how big he is for this team and we will all be celebrating together", he said.

Twelve years later the near-39-old David Seaman stood motionless as Ronaldinho's speculative long-range shot floated over him nearly in slow motion as Brazil knocked England out in the quarter-finals. I think Kyle's is cramp.

"We have got to check a couple. We know how to win", he emphasised.