Jordan Pickford bids to be first England goalie to keep clean sheet in Spain since Peter Shilton

Legendary stopper Shilton could not be beaten as the Three Lions drew 0-0 in Madrid at the 1982 World Cup.

England have since lost four games and won once here with a total of eight goals conceded.

Everton star Pickford — who kept only his second clean sheet of the season for club or country in Croatia on Friday — said: “My main aim is to go into every game and try to keep a clean sheet for the team.

“If that’s by not making a save that’s ideal. Hopefully I’ll not be called upon against Spain.

“But I prepare all week with the other lads to keep a clean sheet. All I can do is my best and if that’s to keep a clean sheet that’s great.”

Spain have scored ten goals in two games — a 6-0 win over Croatia and 4-1 victory against Wales.

Pickford, 24, added: “They’re right up there as a team. I think our last five games have been against top ten opponents and it’s a great test for us. It’s a great game to be part of.

“I thought last month we were unlucky not to get the draw when we lost 2-1 to Spain at Wembley.

“It was a refereeing decision that denied us a goal, sometimes you get them sometimes you don’t. I think we were unfortunate not to get that decision.

“If you come away with a draw and reflect on that and watch the game you would take a draw all day long.

“Now we need to build on that and hopefully be tough. The stadium looks unbelievable.”

It is the first Spain game at Seville’s redeveloped 60,000-seater Estadio Benito Villamarin for 23 years.

The old ground was also a World Cup 1982 venue, with Scotland losing 4-1 to Brazil here.

An incredible 16,000 Spanish fans packed into the ground to watch the home stars train last night.


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