Lionel Messi Examines Jordan Pickford’s Penalty Notes After Argentina’s World Cup Semi-Final Win

Following Argentina’s tense World Cup semi-final victory over England, Lionel Messi was seen closely examining goalkeeper Jordan Pickford’s water bottle. The bottle had penalty shoot-out notes stuck to its side, a preparation tool that Pickford uses ahead of potential shoot-outs.

After Argentina pulled off a late comeback to secure their spot in the final, one of their coaching staff retrieved the bottle from the pitch and handed it to Messi. The captain inspected the detailed notes before passing the bottle around the team. Among the players, Enzo Fernandez laughed upon spotting his name and preferred penalty shooting techniques written on the bottle.

Pickford’s Shoot-Out Preparation Goes Unused

Pickford’s meticulous notes outlined key details about Argentina’s penalty takers, but England’s loss in regular time meant the shoot-out never came into play. Instead, the video captured Argentina’s players amused by the depth of Pickford’s research.

This scene quickly spread on social media, showcasing how carefully Pickford prepares for penalties. Throughout his international career, Pickford has gained recognition for his thorough study of opponents’ penalty habits. His notes have been influential during past shoot-out wins for England. Still, this time, after Enzo Fernandez equalized near the end, and Lautaro Martinez scored a stoppage-time winner, those preparations went unused.

Looking Ahead: Argentina vs Spain in the Final

Argentina now focuses on the upcoming World Cup final against Spain, aiming for a second straight title under coach Lionel Scaloni. England, having lost control late in the semi-final, will face France in the third-place playoff match.