Jordan Pickford will grow in confidence after England heroics, says Shay Given

Shay Given believes Jordan Pickford will gain confidence from his heroic performance in England's World Cup last-16 win over Colombia.

England goalkeeper Pickford made the crucial save in the penalty shootout in Moscow on Tuesday night, as he kept out Carlos Bacca's spot-kick, allowing Eric Dier to step up and confirm England's place in the quarter-finals.

Given, who made 134 appearances in goal for the Republic of Ireland, praised Pickford for his performance.

"The save in the penalty shootout, what a strong wrist he got on it," said Given. "When you're a goalkeeper and you make a big save like that it's the equivalent of scoring a goal and he deserved that credit. What a great moment, what a great save."

Pickford received criticism after the 1-0 defeat to Belgium in England's final group game when he was beaten by a strike from Adnan Januzaj.

However, Given feels that scrutiny has been unfair and believes Everton star Pickford will go on to prove the doubters wrong in the tournament.

"I didn't understand the criticism after the Belgium game," he said. "I thought it [Januzaj's goal] was a fantastic finish and I felt people were being very picky, if I'm being honest.

"I think he's had a fantastic tournament to date and he'll gain confidence from his performance on Tuesday night."

England will now face Sweden in the quarter-finals in Samara on Saturday - the two sides have faced each other twice in previous World Cups, with both encounters ending in draws.

Given, though, believes England are favourites for this meeting.

"Getting to the quarter-final, against Sweden, you have to fancy them [England] to progress there," he added. "I think they've got a great chance."

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