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Gary Lineker has told England to scrap their secret weapon. (Image: BBC/GETTY)
Gary Lineker has urged England against using the same method to memorise the opposition's penalties if Wednesday's Euro 2024 semi-final against the Netherlands goes the distance. Jordan Pickford was the hero as England edged past Switzerland on penalties in the quarter-finals, saving Manuel Akanji's opening effort.
The Three Lions scored all five of their spot-kicks in an inspired display of courage and composure, but Pickford's save made the difference.
Close-up images of his water bottle during the penalty shoot-out showed instructions based on each Swiss player's habits from the spot.
Pickford was instructed to dive to his left when Akanji stepped up, which he followed and denied the Manchester City defender's low effort.
The England No. 1 is no stranger to penalty heroics, helping his nation win three of the four shoot-outs during Gareth Southgate's reign.
But Lineker wants Pickford to change his strategy against the Netherlands if there is no separating the two sides in normal and extra time.
"I'll tell you what, though. That's brilliant, but if there's another penalty shoot-out, one player is going to look at that bottle and sneak and get the bottle," Lineker told the Rest is Football podcast.
"If you're listening, and I know you're all shutting out the noise, if you're listening, do it differently. Do it on a different piece of paper, or do it on the post! Do a different kind of thing!"
Jordan Pickford used his bottle for the penalties. (Image: Getty)
The Three Lions are among the favourites to win this summer's Euro 2024 tournament and you can get your hands on the brand new Nike home and away kits before the first whistle.
That outcome could be likely, considering England have only won one of their five Euro 2024 matches in normal time - the 1-0 triumph over Serbia in their Group C curtain-raiser.
But Southgate's side won't want to boost the Netherlands' advantage any more after UEFA allotted the energetic orange army favourable tickets at the Westfalenstadion in Dortmund.
Netherlands supporters have been handed half of Borussia Dortmund's infamous 'yellow wall', which could make Wednesday's atmosphere difficult for England to compete against.
There will be some English fans in the iconic 25,000-capacity stand, with half of the tickets released on general sale.
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But the Dutch fans have arguably been the most impressive throughout Euro 2024, turning the streets of every city they've visited orange with loud music, united dancing and high spirits.
England had to come from behind for a second successive knockout game after Breel Embolo poked Switzerland ahead after 75 minutes.
Bukayo Saka produced a glorious long-range striker shortly after that opener before the Three Lions' perfect penalties.
The Netherlands also trailed 1-0 in their quarter-final against Turkiye before Stefan de Vrij and Mert Muldur's own goal turned the tie on its head within six second-half minutes.
