Watch: Messi’s reaction after Argentina players find England goalkeeper’s secret penalty note | Football News
Argentina’s dramatic 2-1 win over England in the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final produced another memorable moment after the final whistle, as Lionel Messi and several teammates were filmed inspecting Jordan Pickford’s water bottle, which reportedly contained detailed notes by Argentina’s penalty takers.The footage quickly went viral on social media after Argentina secured their place in Sunday’s World Cup final against Spain.
Argentina narrowly avoided a penalty shootout
England looked to have reached the final after Anthony Gordon gave Thomas Tuchel’s team the lead in the 55th minute.But Argentina came back later. Enzo Fernández leveled the game in the 85th minute before Lautaro Martínez headed home Messi’s cross deep into stoppage time to seal a dramatic 2-1 win, ensuring the reigning world champions progressed without needing extra time or penalties.The late winner also meant Pickford didn’t have a chance to use the notes reportedly attached to his bottle.
Pickford’s bottle attracted attention in Argentina
Pickford has long been known for preparing detailed penalty cheat sheets during major tournaments, with notes taped to his water bottle to help identify opponents’ preferred spot-kick placements.After the final whistle, television cameras captured several Argentina players huddled around the England goalkeeper’s bottle, reportedly reading handwritten notes prepared in anticipation of a possible shootout.Messi was seen grinning, and shaking his head with Enzo Fernández and other teammates as they examined the bottle, with the group appearing to be amused that the carefully prepared plans ultimately came to nothing.While it is widely reported that the notes map to Argentina’s penalty takers, the exact contents of the bottle have not been officially confirmed.
Attention to every detail
The incident also highlighted how well-balanced the competition was during the closing stages.Late in the game, Argentina players were reportedly interested in Pickford’s preparations as the possibility of penalties loomed. However, Lautaro Martínez’s stoppage time winner made any shootout unnecessary.Pickford’s lighthearted exchange of the bottle provided a fitting conclusion to a dramatic semi-final, with Messi’s smile showing relief and satisfaction after Argentina avoided what could have been another tense penalty decision.Instead of facing one of football’s most accomplished penalty-saving goalkeepers from 12 yards, Argentina finished the job in normal time and will now turn their attention to a blockbuster World Cup final against Spain.
Post Comment