Argentina find Jordan Pickford's penalty notes on bottle after World Cup win | OneFootball

According to L'Équipe, Argentina’s players found Jordan Pickford’s water bottle, complete with penalty notes, during their post-match celebrations after a 2-1 World Cup win.

Pickford and his staff had prepared for a possible shootout against Argentina, but Lionel Messi and his team-mates settled it in normal time.

Despite several key interventions, the England goalkeeper could not prevent defeat, beaten by a long-range strike from Enzo Fernandez and a close-range header by Lautaro Martinez.

After the final whistle, the bottle was left on the pitch and Argentina picked it up. The notes advised diving right for Messi after a feint to the left, standing to the left then diving right for Leandro Paredes, and judging Thiago Almada on the moment.

Messi’s team-mates studied the list, which raised a smile from Enzo Fernandez.

Such aides are common for goalkeepers at penalties. At Euro 2024, Pickford used a similar bottle in the semi-final shootout against Switzerland, when he saved Manuel Akanji’s attempt.

Source: L'Équipe