Argentina's cheat sheet scandal eclipses England's semi-final defeat

Lautaro Martinez’s injury‑time strike clinched Argentina’s 2‑1 victory over England in the World Cup semi‑final on July 16, 2026, ending a contest that had seemed poised for extra time after Enzo Fernandez’s late equaliser. The goal came moments before the final whistle, sealing the match for the reigning champions. England opened the scoring early when Anthony Gordon netted a strike that gave the hosts a 1‑0 lead before half‑time. In the second half, Enzo Fernandez restored parity for Argentina, his goal cancelling England’s opener and sparking talk of extra time and a possible penalty shoot‑out. Martinez then broke the deadlock in injury time, his finish securing a 2‑1 win for the reigning champions and confirming a final clash with European champions Spain.

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The defeat condemns England to the third‑place play‑off on Saturday, where they will face 2022 finalists France. The match also exposed Jordan Pickford’s penalty cheat sheet, discovered when his discarded water bottle was examined by the Argentine side. The handwritten notes instructed Pickford to ‘fake left – dive right’ against Lionel Messi, to dive left for Julian Alvarez, dive right for Martinez, and to stand centrally for Enzo Fernandez, prompting the latter to raise his eyebrows and point skyward.

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Fitness coach Luis Martin was reported to have shared the images on social media before deleting the post, and the leaked instructions may prove valuable to Spain as they prepare for a possible shoot‑out in the final against Argentina. An AP photograph captured Messi celebrating the second goal, highlighting his role in the decisive moments.