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For any footballer, earning 50 international caps is a major achievement. To reach that mark in a World Cup quarter-final against the reigning champions makes it even more special.

However, for England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, his 50th game for the Three Lions turned into one of the toughest nights of his career.

That landmark appearance came in the 2022 World Cup quarter-final against France, a contest where Gareth Southgate’s hopes of leading England to a major title were once again cut short.

England went down 2-1 to France in Qatar, with Harry Kane missing a crucial late penalty after an otherwise strong performance in which the Three Lions matched the world champions stride for stride.

“It was,” Pickford admitted to FourFourTwo when asked if that milestone appearance was bittersweet for him.

“We had big chances to win that game, but it came down to tiny details that didn’t fall our way.”

The defeat came just as England’s path to the final seemed to be opening up. Kane’s missed penalty, six minutes from time and shortly after Olivier Giroud’s decisive goal, sealed another painful exit for Southgate’s side.

Pickford believes that France’s experience as the 2018 World Cup winners gave them the edge in those decisive moments.

“France were the defending champions and probably knew how to handle those situations better. We just have to take lessons from that,” he said.

Now preparing for his third World Cup with England, the 32-year-old goalkeeper stands as one of the team’s most seasoned players and intends to use those past experiences to drive the squad forward this summer.

“We want to be the best, so we need to turn negative moments into improvements,” Pickford stated. “To be the best in any field today, whether it’s sport or something else, you have to master the fine margins.”

“It’s up to the coaching staff to ensure we get every tactical detail right, and it’s up to us as players to carry that plan out on the pitch.”

“We have to be mentally prepared for whatever comes our way during those 90-plus minutes – and that’s something we’re continually improving at.”