Lionel Messi and his Argentina teammates mocked Jordan Pickford's penalty cheat sheet after a dramatic 2-1 victory over England in the World Cup semi-final. The England goalkeeper had prepared a water bottle with notes on Argentina's preferred penalty spots, but it proved unnecessary as the Three Lions were eliminated in heartbreaking fashion.
Argentina's Victory and the Cheat Sheet Discovery
Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez scored to secure Argentina's place in the World Cup final, their first since 2014. England, seeking their first final appearance in 60 years, saw their hopes dashed with five minutes remaining. After the match, Argentina players found Pickford's water bottle, which had been marked with supposed penalty tendencies of their opponents.
Messi met the discovery with bemusement, while teammates shared a laugh amid their celebrations. Fernandez, one of the goal scorers, appeared to dispute the information about his own penalty preferences before pointing to the heavens.
How the Cheat Sheet Came to Light
According to reports in Argentina, it was team masseuse Marcelo D'Andrea who found the water bottle and passed it to the players. Fitness coach Luis Martin later posted a picture of the bottle on social media, giving the world a glimpse of Pickford's preparation.
Goalkeepers commonly prepare for penalties by studying opponents' habits, but Argentina's stars seemed unfazed. The cheat sheet listed penalty spots for several Argentina players, though its accuracy was questionable.
Implications for the Final
Argentina will face Spain in the World Cup final on Sunday in New York. Spain will likely view Pickford's research as irrelevant, as Argentina's players are aware they may need to vary their penalty spots if the match goes to a shoot-out. The incident has added a layer of intrigue to the final, with Argentina confident in their ability to adapt.
