Messi, Argentina finds Pickford’s penalty cheat sheet - Report

England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford had meticulously prepared a penalty "cheat sheet" for Argentina's players ahead of their World Cup semi-final clash. The notes, detailing how to save penalties from specific Argentine players, were taped to his water bottle. However, Pickford's elaborate preparation went unused as Argentina secured a 2-1 comeback victory in normal time, avoiding a penalty shootout.

The "cheat sheet" reportedly contained instructions for various players. For attacking midfielder Thiago Almada, Pickford had noted to "go by feel on the day." For Enzo Fernandez, whose long-range strike equalized England's opener, the note indicated an expectation that he would place his shot down the middle. For Lionel Messi, who had previously missed a penalty in the tournament, the instructions advised Pickford to fake a dive in one direction before committing to the other, anticipating a change in Messi's usual pattern.

Argentina's players, including Messi, discovered the notes during their celebrations. Tottenham defender Marcos Senesi was seen demonstrating the instructions to a puzzled Messi, as the notes were written in English. The image of Pickford's bottle was shared on social media, with Argentina's fitness coach Luis Martin and football journalist Fabrizio Romano among those who circulated it.

While goalkeepers routinely study penalty takers, the public exposure of Pickford's specific strategies could now benefit Spain's goalkeeper Unai Simon in the upcoming final. The leaked notes might force players like Fernandez to reconsider their usual penalty routines.