Messi and Argentina stars studied Pickford's penalty notes after World Cup semi-final win

Lionel Messi and a group of Argentina players were filmed examining Jordan Pickford’s water bottle on the pitch after Argentina’s 2-1 comeback victory over England in their World Cup semi-final. A close-up image of the bottle later emerged showing it labelled ‘Argentina penalty taker list’, with Messi’s name at the top alongside the note ‘fake left - dive right’.

Messi, Argentina captain Nico Gonzalez, Marcos Senesi and a member of staff were among the first to gather around the bottle. Gonzalez appeared to double-take at the directions listed next to his name, while Senesi seemed to explain the notes to Messi, who nodded in response. Football fans online suggested the players appeared impressed by the accuracy of Pickford’s research.

Enzo Fernandez was also shown the bottle and pointed directly at his own name before breaking into a relieved smile, then gesturing upward — seemingly thankful the match had not reached a penalty shootout. The Chelsea midfielder had scored Argentina’s equaliser from distance in normal time, a strike that drew criticism of Pickford from several high-profile figures.

Jamie Carragher wrote in his column for The Telegraph: “Pickford should still have saved Enzo Fernández’s shot.” Gary Neville was similarly critical, saying: “Not gone in the corner, that. He’s got to save that, got to save it. He’s past it.” Jude Bellingham also appeared to react angrily upon watching a replay on the big screen, reportedly exclaiming: “It’s the middle of the goal!”

Fernandez’s equaliser had cancelled out Anthony Gordon’s opener for England, before substitute Lautaro Martinez scored the winner to send Argentina through.

Manager Thomas Tuchel has also faced scrutiny over his substitutions, having introduced defenders Ezri Konsa, Dan Burn and Nico O’Reilly while removing John Stones, Gordon and Declan Rice with a significant portion of the second half still remaining.

England will not leave the United States immediately following their elimination, with the squad set to face France in a third-place play-off on Saturday.