Watch: Messi's priceless reaction as Argentina find England goalkeeper's cheat sheet
After Argentina's late win over England, Lionel Messi and his teammates examined Jordan Pickford's penalty cheat sheet in Atlanta. Argentina moved to the final with Messi pulling off two stunning assists in the second half.
Argentina's World Cup celebrations took an amusing turn after the semifinal victory over England when Lionel Messi and several of his teammates were seen inspecting Jordan Pickford's penalty cheat sheet. During the on-field celebrations following Argentina's dramatic 2-1 win, a member of the coaching staff picked up Pickford's water bottle and passed it around the squad. The bottle, which featured notes on England's expected penalty takers and their preferred shooting directions, quickly became a source of amusement, with Messi, Enzo Fernandez and others smiling as they examined its contents.
The moment soon went viral on social media, especially because the match never reached a penalty shootout despite looking destined for one deep into the second half. England had been on course for the World Cup final after taking the lead and holding their advantage until the closing stages. However, Enzo Fernandez struck a stunning equaliser in the 86th minute before Lautaro Martinez completed the comeback with a towering header in stoppage time, sending the reigning champions into another World Cup final.
With penalties a real possibility for much of the contest, Pickford had come prepared. Like many modern goalkeepers, the England No. 1 had attached a detailed penalty guide to his water bottle, listing Argentina's likely spot-kick takers along with their preferred placement. Such cheat sheets have become a common sight in elite football and have helped goalkeepers make informed decisions in high-pressure shootouts.
Pickford famously relied on similar notes during England's successful penalty shootout against Colombia at the 2018 FIFA World Cup and again at Euro 2024, where pre-match analysis helped him deny Switzerland's Manuel Akanji from the spot.
This time, though, the carefully prepared notes went unused. Argentina's late comeback ensured there was no need for penalties, leaving Pickford's water bottle to become an unexpected prop in the victors' celebrations instead.
Argentina will now face Spain in Sunday's World Cup final as they bid to secure a fourth World Cup title.
FIFA World Cup | FIFA World Cup Schedule | FIFA World Cup Points Table | Football News
Argentina's World Cup celebrations took an amusing turn after the semifinal victory over England when Lionel Messi and several of his teammates were seen inspecting Jordan Pickford's penalty cheat sheet. During the on-field celebrations following Argentina's dramatic 2-1 win, a member of the coaching staff picked up Pickford's water bottle and passed it around the squad. The bottle, which featured notes on England's expected penalty takers and their preferred shooting directions, quickly became a source of amusement, with Messi, Enzo Fernandez and others smiling as they examined its contents.
The moment soon went viral on social media, especially because the match never reached a penalty shootout despite looking destined for one deep into the second half. England had been on course for the World Cup final after taking the lead and holding their advantage until the closing stages. However, Enzo Fernandez struck a stunning equaliser in the 86th minute before Lautaro Martinez completed the comeback with a towering header in stoppage time, sending the reigning champions into another World Cup final.
With penalties a real possibility for much of the contest, Pickford had come prepared. Like many modern goalkeepers, the England No. 1 had attached a detailed penalty guide to his water bottle, listing Argentina's likely spot-kick takers along with their preferred placement. Such cheat sheets have become a common sight in elite football and have helped goalkeepers make informed decisions in high-pressure shootouts.
Pickford famously relied on similar notes during England's successful penalty shootout against Colombia at the 2018 FIFA World Cup and again at Euro 2024, where pre-match analysis helped him deny Switzerland's Manuel Akanji from the spot.
This time, though, the carefully prepared notes went unused. Argentina's late comeback ensured there was no need for penalties, leaving Pickford's water bottle to become an unexpected prop in the victors' celebrations instead.
Argentina will now face Spain in Sunday's World Cup final as they bid to secure a fourth World Cup title.
FIFA World Cup | FIFA World Cup Schedule | FIFA World Cup Points Table | Football News
Argentina's World Cup celebrations took an amusing turn after the semifinal victory over England when Lionel Messi and several of his teammates were seen inspecting Jordan Pickford's penalty cheat sheet. During the on-field celebrations following Argentina's dramatic 2-1 win, a member of the coaching staff picked up Pickford's water bottle and passed it around the squad. The bottle, which featured notes on England's expected penalty takers and their preferred shooting directions, quickly became a source of amusement, with Messi, Enzo Fernandez and others smiling as they examined its contents.
The moment soon went viral on social media, especially because the match never reached a penalty shootout despite looking destined for one deep into the second half. England had been on course for the World Cup final after taking the lead and holding their advantage until the closing stages. However, Enzo Fernandez struck a stunning equaliser in the 86th minute before Lautaro Martinez completed the comeback with a towering header in stoppage time, sending the reigning champions into another World Cup final.
With penalties a real possibility for much of the contest, Pickford had come prepared. Like many modern goalkeepers, the England No. 1 had attached a detailed penalty guide to his water bottle, listing Argentina's likely spot-kick takers along with their preferred placement. Such cheat sheets have become a common sight in elite football and have helped goalkeepers make informed decisions in high-pressure shootouts.
Pickford famously relied on similar notes during England's successful penalty shootout against Colombia at the 2018 FIFA World Cup and again at Euro 2024, where pre-match analysis helped him deny Switzerland's Manuel Akanji from the spot.
This time, though, the carefully prepared notes went unused. Argentina's late comeback ensured there was no need for penalties, leaving Pickford's water bottle to become an unexpected prop in the victors' celebrations instead.
Argentina will now face Spain in Sunday's World Cup final as they bid to secure a fourth World Cup title.
FIFA World Cup | FIFA World Cup Schedule | FIFA World Cup Points Table | Football News
