Jordan Pickford left a marked water bottle on the field during England’s dramatic 2026 World Cup quarter-final against Argentina. The bottle had taped-on notes outlining shooter tendencies of opponents. Argentine players spotted the markings and took photos before Pickford retrieved the bottle. Their leader Lionel Messi and teammates reacted to the discovery after the close victory. The incident started a debate about preparation methods in high-pressure matches. Pickford’s notes were so precise that opponents could have gained an edge in potential shootouts.