During Argentina's 2-1 victory over England in a 2026 FIFA World Cup semifinal match, Lionel Messi and teammates Nico Gonzalez and Enzo Fernández were observed examining the back of a water bottle. Reports suggest the bottle contained notes detailing strategy for England's goalkeeper, Jordan Pickford, regarding penalty kicks.
The details reportedly included specific instructions for facing various Argentine players. For Messi, the note read "Fake Left — Dive Right," while for Nahuel Montiel, it advised "Dive Left." The notes also indicated Pickford's potential actions against other players, such as "Stand Left — Dive Right" for Leandro Paredes.
While goalkeepers typically maintain strict preparation for penalty shootouts, the discovery of Pickford's apparent strategy could influence future matches. The notes might offer Argentina an advantage in potential penalty situations, or conversely, lead to added pressure and doubt for the penalty takers if they are aware their tendencies are known.
Penalty shootouts are described as a combination of strategy and mental fortitude, with both the manager's player selection and the taker's confidence playing crucial roles. The existence of this information adds another layer of intrigue to the strategic elements of penalty kicks.