Search Icon

Jordan Pickford or David Ospina – which goalkeeper has the edge if England vs Colombia goes to penalties?

Nigeria's Victor Moses scores their first goal from the penalty spot
There have been 27 penalties so far at the 2018 Russia World Cup Credit: Reuters

After a record-breaking 27 penalties so far at the 2018 Russia World Cup, and three penalty shootouts already in the round of 16, there's a greater chance than ever for a goalkeeper to become the hero.

Kasper Schmeichel gave Denmark hope against Croatia after saving a penalty five minutes from the end of extra time, but Croatia's goalkeeper Danijel Subasic stole the headlines with three saves in the shootout. Both were lauded for their performances.

Under normal circumstances, it's best not to mention England's shootout record, but is there cause for optimism if it goes down to penalties on Tuesday evening? Which goalkeeper has the edge between the sticks?

David Ospina

David Ospina is one of the more familiar faces in this Colombia side, having played club football with Arsenal since 2014. However, the goalkeeper made a series of high-profile errors leading up to the World Cup and his penalty record leaves much to be desired.

Colombia's goalkeeper David Ospina celebrates his team's goal during the Russia 2018 World Cup Group H football match between Senegal and Colombia at the Samara Arena in Samara on June 28, 2018.
David Ospina has only saved three of 38 penalties in his career Credit: AFP

Here are some statistics on how the Colombian goalkeeper fares when up against it from 12 yards. 

  • Ospina has saved three of 38 penalties that he has faced during his career.
  • Before saving one from Ostersunds' Tom Pettersson in the Europa League this year for Arsenal, he had not saved a spot-kick for five years.
  • Jordan Henderson is the only England player to have taken a spot kick against Ospina, scoring in Liverpool's 4-1 defeat to Arsenal in 2015.
  • Ospina, however, does have form in penalty shootouts at international level. He saved an effort from Miguel Trauco at the 2016 Copa America as Colombia beat Peru on penalties in the quarter-finals.

Jordan Pickford

Pickford was one of the weaker links in England's group stage match with Belgium, but Southgate might have had penalties in mind when choosing his No 1 as the Everton goalkeeper has an impressive record when it comes to spot-kick heroics.

JUNE 28: Jordan Pickford of England in action during 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Group G match between England and Belgium at the Kaliningrad stadium, Kaliningrad, Russia on June, 28, 2018.
Jordan Pickford is yet to keep a clean sheet at the 2018 Russia World Cup Credit: Anadolu
  • Saved five out of 30 that he has faced in his professional career.
  • Three of the five came for Everton - saving from Manuel Lanzini and Tom Cleverley in the Premier League and Hajduk Split's Said Ahmed Said in the Europa League.
  • His other saves came for England U21 against Sweden at the European U21 Championships, and against Fulham U21s
  • Pickford is in a minority of English goalkeepers to have won a penalty shootout with England. He was the hero in 2011 when England beat Argentina at the U17 World Cup in Mexico. Pickford, then at Sunderland, saved two penalties in the shootout. Raheem Sterling also featured for England.
  • Pickford's most recent penalty shootout came in last year's U21 European Championship semi-final. He saved Yannick Gerhardt's penalty but could not prevent England from going out against Germany.
  • His most recent club shootout came in the EFL Cup in 2015 when he was on loan at Preston North End. He was in goal as his Preston side lost 5-4 on penalties to Bournemouth. He didn't save any of Bournemouth's four kicks.

Perhaps this time things will be different?

Related Topics
Comment speech bubble icon
License this content