A leaked scouting report detailing the penalty-taking tendencies of the Argentina national team has surfaced following their semifinal victory over England. The document, which was reportedly found on a water bottle belonging to England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, provides specific instructions on where to dive for nearly every player in the Albiceleste squad, including Lionel Messi.
The ‘Pickford Bottle’ Leak
The discovery began with a viral video showing four Argentine players, including Lionel Messi, closely examining a water bottle after the match. According to reports, Messi was seen discussing the object with teammate Senesi, who mimicked a goalkeeper’s save. The interaction concluded when Enzo Fernández took the bottle and shared a laugh with a member of the coaching staff.
The bottle contained a comprehensive list of instructions designed for Jordan Pickford. The document detailed the preferred shooting directions and behavioral cues for the Argentine players to help the English goalkeeper anticipate penalty strikes during the game or in a potential shootout.
Luis Martín, Argentina’s physical trainer, shared a photograph of the list with the caption, “Lástima, no teníamos los mismos planes che” (Too bad we didn’t have the same plans), confirming the nature of the document.
Lionel Messi’s Penalty Profile
The scouting report highlights a specific strategy for facing Lionel Messi, Argentina’s primary penalty taker. Despite Messi missing two penalties in the current tournament—one against Egypt and one against Austria, both directed toward the goalkeeper’s left—the English staff’s instructions differed from the recent data.
The directive for Pickford was: “Amaga a la izquierda y lánzate a la derecha” (Feint left and dive right). English analysts believed Messi would switch sides following his two previous misses in the competition.
Complete Argentine Penalty Scouting List
The leaked list covers almost the entire squad, excluding only Emiliano Martínez, Cuti Romero, and Musso. The instructions range from simple directional dives to complex behavioral reads.
| Player | Instruction for Goalkeeper |
|---|---|
| Lionel Messi | Feint left, dive right |
| Enzo Fernández | Stay center |
| Rodrigo De Paul | Position right, move center, dive left |
| Lautaro Martínez | Dive right |
| Julián Álvarez | Dive left |
| Alexis Mac Allister | Dive right |
| Leandro Paredes | Position left, dive right |
| Nicolás González | Wait and react |
| Thiago Almada | Decide based on moment’s feeling |
| Nicolás Otamendi | Feint right, dive left |
| Giovani Lo Celso | Feint right, dive left |
| Gonzalo Montiel | Dive left |
Additional entries in the report include instructions for defenders and reserve players. For instance, Lisandro Martínez and Nico Paz are listed as “dive left,” while Senesi and Giuliano Simeone are marked “dive right.” Even goalkeeper Rulli is included, with the instruction to “dive left.”
Implications for the World Cup 2026 Final
The leak comes as Argentina prepares to face Spain in the World Cup 2026 final. Argentina secured their place after a dramatic comeback against England, with goals from Enzo Fernández and Lautaro Martínez in the final minutes of the match to avoid extra time.
Spain’s goalkeeper coach, Miguel Ángel España, is expected to analyze these patterns. The stakes are high for both nations: Spain is seeking its second star, while Argentina aims for a fourth title and a second consecutive victory following their triumph in Qatar 2022.
Historically, penalty shootouts have been a point of vulnerability for Spain in recent World Cups. Conversely, Argentina possesses a proven specialist in Emiliano Martínez, whose performance in the 2022 final established him as a psychological edge in shootout scenarios.
The final match will determine whether Argentina secures a historic fourth title or if Spain claims its second world championship.
