England-Argentina, Leo Messi’s clever move: the water bottle with penalty kick instructions | Libero Quotidiano.it

A decidedly unusual episode was captured by Argentine television at the end of the World Cup semifinal between Albiceleste and England. After the final whistle, Messi and some teammates – including Juventus’ Nico Gonzalez – retrieved the water bottle of English goalkeeper Jordan Pickford on which the penalty takers’ instructions were printed, necessary in case the match extended beyond extra time.

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Given Argentina’s victory within ninety minutes, the instructions clearly were not needed. But Messi and his teammates’ reaction still drew attention. Scaloni’s players, in fact, did not seem too convinced about what was written on Pickford’s water bottle. Argentina’s number 10, in particular, appeared quite surprised.

In any case, as mentioned, Albiceleste did not need to go to the penalty shootout. The South Americans turned the match around during the second half, overpowering England who, after Gordon’s temporary leading goal at the 55th minute, thought exclusively about defending. Albiceleste equalized in the 85th minute with Enzo Fernandez and then took the lead in injury time thanks to Lautaro Martinez’s header, assisted by La Pulce.

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Messi and the Argentina players were curious to see Jordan Pickford’s (English goalkeeper) water bottle which turned out to be full of notes on the opponents’ penalty kick directions. pic.twitter.com/UBdIWkD2Nu

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— Badidoyo (@badidoyo) July 16, 2026