Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterEngland could not quite make it to extra time in their World Cup semi-final against Argentina, conceding twice late on to fall short in the most disappointing way.The inquest is well underway as to why Thomas Tuchel opted to instruct his team to sit deep and attempt to soak up wave after wave of Argentina pressure.After Enzo Fernandezs equaliser, it seemed England hoped simply to survive until full-time, and then perhaps make it to a penalty shootout, given the plethora of defenders on the pitch.Play our FREE match predictor below and win �1kPickford's water bottle picture emergesIf England had made it to penalties, they would, as expected, have been fully prepared.Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has experienced plenty of shootout success at major tournaments during his Three Lions career. You may like HENRY WINTER: Good luck to Lionel Messi and Argentina but Thomas Tuchel will have to explain his tactical substitutions that cost England dear World Cup 2026: Every England players penalty record Jordan Pickford on the 2018 World Cup semi-final: 'We just couldn't get the second goal' And he was, it seems, ready for another one had Lautaro Martinez not met Lionel Messis inch-perfect cross in added time.A picture of Pickfords water bottle emerged on social media after Argentinas players spotted it on the pitch following the full-time whistle.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.Attached to the water bottle was an instruction on how and where to dive for each of Argentinas potential penalty takers.Messi, who has missed two penalties at this World Cup, was the first name on the list, with the instruction fake left - dive right.For Chelsea midfielder Fernandez, Pickfords note simply read: stand central.While for most of the penalty takers Pickford was given a clear direction to dive, Thiago Almadas name came with the instruction to feel on the day.Messi and a couple of his team-mates were seen looking at the bottle, perhaps trying to garner some insight ahead of a potential shootout against Spain in Sundays World Cup final.For England and Pickford, meanwhile, the preparation proved fruitless - unless, of course, they meet La Albiceleste in the knockout stages again four years from nowSwipe to scroll horizontallyPickford's penalty plan in fullMESSIFAKE LEFT - DIVE RIGHTMONTIELDIVE LEFTPAREDESSTAND LEFT - DIVE RIGHTMAC ALLISTERDIVE RIGHTFERNANDEZ STAND CENTRALGONZALEZHOLD - REACTALVAREZDIVE LEFTLAUTARO MARTINEZDIVE RIGHTDE PAULSTAND RIGHT - MOVE CENTRAL - DIVE LEFTALMADAFEEL ON THE DAYOTAMENDIDISGUISE RIGHT - DIVE LEFTLOPEZDIVE RIGHT - TRAIL LEGPALACIOSDIVE RIGHT - POSITIVE STEP - GO!LO CELSOFAKE RIGHT - DIVE LEFTPAZDIVE LEFTMEDINAHOLD - DIVE LEFTBARCOHOLD - DIVE RIGHTLISANDRO MARTINEZHOLD - DIVE LEFTMOLINASTAND RIGHT - DIVE RIGHTTAGLIAFICODIVE LEFTSIMEONE DIVE RIGHTSENESIDIVE RIGHTRULLIDIVE LEFTTOPICSEnglandArgentinaWorld CupWorld Cup 2026Callum Rice-CoatesCallum is a football writer who has had work published by the likes of BBC Sport, the Independent, BT Sport and the Blizzard, amongst various others. A lifelong Wrexham fan, he is hoping Ryan Reynolds can lead his hometown club to the promised land.
