JORDAN PICKFORD was denied the World Cup’s Golden Glove Award despite having the same number of clean sheets as winner Emiliano Martinez.
Both goalkeepers picked up three clean sheets in their time in Qatar.
Pickford, 28, conceded in only two of his five games for England, while Martinez, 30, kept three clean sheets across seven games for Argentina.
Martinez conceded over double the amount of the Everton stopper but was given the accolade after a review from Fifa’s Technical Study Group – headed by former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.
With a tie-break in hand – with Morocco’s Yassine Bounou also collecting three clean sheets – this year’s edition of the Golden Glove was deliberated over by the expert panel.
It included a number of ex-pros and managers such as Jurgen Klinsmann, Alberto Zaccheroni, Cha Du-Ri, Sunday Oliseh, Faryd Mondragon and Pascal Zuberbuhler.
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In addition, the group was supported by a team of analysts, data engineers and scientists in order to come to the best decision – which they ruled to be Martinez.
The Aston Villa shot-stopper became the hero of his nation after a string of fine saves across the knockout rounds and in penalty shootouts.
This included his huge last-minute save to deny Randal Kolo Muani in the final and drag the game to penalties.
Martinez was slammed for his “despicable” behaviour during the shootout – not that he will care due to it helping to win Lionel Messi and Co a first World Cup since 1986.
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In the event of needing a tiebreak in previous editions, the award simply came down to a number of factors.
Firstly, how far the goalie had progressed into the tournament.
It would then be followed by how many saves they had made and the minutes played.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
