England midfielder Jude Bellingham appeared frustrated with goalkeeper Jordan Pickford's role in Argentina's equalizing goal during the Three Lions' World Cup semi-final loss. Argentina secured a 2-1 victory over England with Lautaro Martinez's stoppage-time header after Enzo Fernandez's late long-range strike. Fernandez's goal in the 85th minute drew scrutiny, with replays prompting questions about whether Pickford should have made the save.
Bellingham was observed on screen at Atlanta Stadium mouthing, "It's in the middle of the goal!" following the replay. Former player Gary Neville echoed this sentiment on the Stick to Football World Cup Watch Party, stating, "Not gone in the corner, that, he's got to save that. Got to save it. He's past it."
Following the match, as Argentina celebrated their win, members of their team discovered Pickford's penalty "cheat sheet" on his unattended water bottle. Video footage showed Lionel Messi and his teammates viewing the notes, which had been shown to them by an Argentina backroom staff member. Substitute Nico Gonzalez was the first to read the information before Messi and Fernandez also saw it. According to reports, Marco Senesi, who has played in the Premier League, translated the notes for Messi. The instructions reportedly detailed that Pickford would "fake" a dive to his left before committing to his "right," and also indicated that the goalkeeper would "stand central." Fernandez was seen smiling wryly after reading the goalkeeper's notes.
