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'If only he were taller'

World Cup 2018: Thibaut Courtois trolled for Jordan Pickford jibe after conceding two for Belgium vs Japan

Chelsea stopper had taunted England's No1 for failing to save Adnan Januzaj's curled effort on Thursday - and fans feel he got his just desserts today

THIBAUT COURTOIS has been savaged for his performance against Japan - after mocking Jordan Pickford.

The Belgium keeper ridiculed England's No1 for failing to save Adnan Januzaj's curled effort on Thursday.

 Thibaut Courtois is easily beaten for Japan's second goal against Belgium
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Thibaut Courtois is easily beaten for Japan's second goal against BelgiumCredit: AP:Associated Press

Courois, who stands at a huge 6ft 5in, said: "Jordan Pickford is 10cm smaller than me. I would have caught it. He was too busy throwing his legs in the air."

But after conceding twice against Japan, fans have trolled the outspoken Chelsea stopper.

Genki Haraguchi drilled a low shot past Courtois to open the scoring after 48 minutes.

Takashi Inui then doubled the lead with a brilliant effort from outside the box, with the Belgium goalie beaten at full stretch.

Courtois was spared his blushes after Jan Vertonghen, Marouane Fellaini and Nacer Chadli all netted to seal a place against Brazil in the quarter-finals.

Gareth Southgate jumped to the defence of Pickford after Courtois' jibe.

He told talkSPORT: "I’m really pleased with his performances.

“I don’t think he’s had much chance with the goals that have gone in, that’s a goalkeeper’s lot at times.

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“He knows the belief I have in him. He is an important fit for the way we play.

“He’s got to make sure he knows the views of those that are important and, like everybody else, cut himself away from the outside views that can start to inhibit your thinking.”

 Belgium keeper Thibaut Courtois conceded twice against Japan
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Belgium keeper Thibaut Courtois conceded twice against JapanCredit: Reuters
 Thibaut Courtois can only watch as the ball fires past him into the back of the net
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Thibaut Courtois can only watch as the ball fires past him into the back of the netCredit: AFP or licensors
 Jordan Pickford was unable to keep out Adnan Januzaj's effort against Belgium
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Jordan Pickford was unable to keep out Adnan Januzaj's effort against BelgiumCredit: Reuters
 Thibaut Courtois mocked Jordan Pickford after the Belgium match
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Thibaut Courtois mocked Jordan Pickford after the Belgium matchCredit: EPA

The England boss added: "I remember when we were talking about young goalkeepers at a conference once.

“Martin Thomas, who’s a brilliant coach educator now, was Under-21 goalkeeping coach and was talking about the difference between a couple of goalkeepers.

“Size-wise, he said at the end of the day, you’re talking about a Cadbury’s Creme Egg between them.

“Of course some keepers are 6ft 6in, but they have attributes that they are not so good at. And you get slightly smaller ones who are athletically better and have different skill sets.

“It’s rare to find perfection in anybody.”

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