Argentina stars, including Messi, gather around Pickford's water bottle after England defeat

Lionel Messi was among the Argentina players caught on camera deep in conversation, huddled around a water bottle left on the pitch after their 2-1 World Cup semi-final win over England. The bottle belonged to England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and was titled ‘Argentina penalty taker list’, with Messi’s name at the top.<br><br>Next to Messi’s name, a handwritten note read: ‘fake left – dive right’. The Argentina captain, along with Nico Gonzalez, Marcos Senesi and a member of staff, first took notice. Gonzalez appeared to double-take at the directions next to his name, while Senesi seemed to explain what it meant, with Messi nodding in agreement.<br><br>Enzo Fernandez – Argentina’s goalscorer – was also presented with the bottle. He pointed straight at his name before letting out a relieved smile, then pointed to the skies as if thankful the match had not gone to penalties. The Chelsea midfielder may have fancied his chances against Pickford from the spot, having already beaten him from distance in normal time.<br><br>Fernandez’s superb strike cancelled out Anthony Gordon’s opener, before substitute Lautaro Martinez grabbed the winner. The defeat ended England’s World Cup hopes, and Pickford faced heavy criticism for failing to save Fernandez’s effort. Upon watching a replay on the big screen, Jude Bellingham angrily exclaimed: “It’s the middle of the goal!” Jamie Carragher wrote in The Telegraph: “Pickford should still have saved Enzo Fernández’s shot.” Gary Neville, on the Stick to Football World Cup Watch Party, said: “Not gone in the corner, that. He’s got to save that, got to save it. He’s past it.”<br><br>The episode underlined the fine margins that decided the semi-final, with Pickford’s meticulous preparation laid bare in defeat. England will now face France in the third-place play-off.