The report says Thomas Tuchel’s staff have treated a shootout as a realistic possibility during the tournament’s knockout stages. That preparation should give England confidence, particularly with Pickford regarded as an important voice when matches move into their most pressurised moments.
The goalkeeper also underlined that planning alone will not decide the tie.
“It's us against them and it's about who comes out on top. We're fully prepared for that,” Pickford reportedly said.
That response reflects a team trying to keep the occasion in perspective. Argentina bring major tournament experience, but England’s focus appears to be on execution rather than reputation or the prospect of a long night.
Pickford also addressed Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, whose personality and penalty-game tactics have made him a central figure in high-pressure matches.
The England goalkeeper reportedly acknowledged Martinez’s difficult route to the Argentina team, including his time at Arsenal and Wolves, while praising the impact he has made for Aston Villa and his country. Pickford’s assessment was respectful but unsentimental: Martinez’s “antics are his antics”, but the real judgment comes once the gloves are on.
That could become a key subplot if the semi-final reaches penalties. Both goalkeepers are comfortable carrying responsibility, and neither is likely to be overwhelmed by the theatre surrounding a shootout.
England’s most famous World Cup meeting with Argentina remains the 1998 last-16 defeat, when David Beckham was sent off and England eventually fell on penalties. That history adds emotional weight, even if the players preparing for this contest must avoid being trapped by it.
The next storyline will be whether England can turn their preparation into composure when the semi-final’s decisive moments arrive.