With Jordan Pickford set to feature for England again tonight, Everton supporters have another reason to keep an eye on the World Cup.
The tournament has produced some memorable moments for Blues over the years, whether that has been goals, penalty saves or performances that captured attention far beyond Merseyside.
From Tim Cahill’s volley against the Netherlands to Richarlison’s moment for Brazil, Everton have been well represented on football’s biggest stage.
Here are five World Cup moments that stand out.
5. Yerry Mina’s goalscoring run for Colombia
Centre-backs are not usually among a World Cup’s leading scorers.
Mina was the exception.
The Colombian scored three times during the 2018 tournament, finding the net against Poland, Senegal and England. His stoppage-time equaliser against England in the last-16 remains one of the most dramatic goals of that World Cup.
Colombia eventually lost on penalties, but Mina left Russia with his reputation enhanced and interest in his future growing rapidly.
4. Richarlison’s bicycle kick against Serbia
Brazil have scored some spectacular World Cup goals over the years, yet Richarlison’s strike against Serbia immediately earned its place among them.
The forward controlled the ball, adjusted his position and connected with an overhead kick that gave the goalkeeper no chance.
It was the standout goal of the group stage and later won the FIFA Puskás Award.
For Everton supporters, it was another reminder of the talent they had watched develop at Goodison Park.
3. Gary Lineker’s hat-trick against Poland
England were heading out of the World Cup when Lineker stepped up.
The Everton striker scored a hat-trick against Poland to send Bobby Robson’s side into the knockout stages, kick-starting a run that would eventually see him finish as the tournament’s top scorer. It remains one of the most important performances by an Everton player at a World Cup.
2. Tim Cahill’s volley against the Netherlands
Ask football supporters to name the best goals in World Cup history and Cahill’s effort against the Netherlands is never far from the conversation.
Australia were trailing when Cahill met a dropping pass with a first-time left-footed volley that flew in off the underside of the crossbar.
The technique required was extraordinary, but what made the goal even more impressive was that it came on football’s biggest stage.
More than a decade later, it remains the goal most associated with Cahill’s international career.
1. Jordan Pickford’s save against Colombia
England’s shootout against Colombia in 2018 changed the mood around the national team.
For years, penalty shootouts had ended in disappointment. When the last-16 tie in Moscow went the distance, few England supporters would have felt entirely comfortable.
Pickford changed that.
His save from Carlos Bacca gave England the advantage before Eric Dier converted the decisive penalty. England had won a World Cup shootout for the first time, and Pickford had played the decisive role.
The Everton goalkeeper has gone on to enjoy an outstanding international career, but that save remains the moment most closely associated with his England story.
With another England appearance incoming tonight, it is also the clearest example of an Everton player leaving a lasting mark on the World Cup.
