Argentina is heading back to a World Cup final. And they got there without much help from Lisandro Martinez’s usual attacking contributions.
The Manchester United defender had a rare off night going forward on Wednesday, but it didn’t matter. Lautaro Martinez’s 92nd-minute winner, set up by Lionel Messi, sent Argentina past England 2-1 in a tense semifinal in the 2026 World Cup. The defending champions will now play for back-to-back titles.
Martinez’s Under-the-Radar Performance
For most of this tournament, Lisandro Martinez has been a two-way force for La Albiceleste. He set up Messi’s goal and scored one himself against Cabo Verde in the Round of 32. He held his own against Egypt and Switzerland too. But against England, the 28-year-old center-back was mostly a spectator in the final third.
According to Sofascore, Martinez had just 46 touches and completed 41 passes at a 98% clip. That sounds great until you realize none of those were key passes. No long balls. No crosses. No shots. No dribbles. He won only one of four duels, got dribbled past once, and picked up a yellow card before being subbed off for Nicolas Otamendi in the 73rd minute.
It wasn’t a bad game defensively. He managed four clearances. But he wasn’t the same guy who’d been buzzing around the box in earlier rounds.
How Argentina Turned It Around
England struck first through Anthony Gordon in the 55th minute, and for a while it looked like the Three Lions might finally get past Messi in a knockout game. But Argentina has made a habit of responding after going down in this tournament. Scaloni brought on fresh attackers, and the pressure eventually cracked England.
Enzo Fernandez equalized in the 85th minute after Messi found him unmarked in the box. Then, with extra time looming, Messi threaded a perfect pass to Lautaro Martinez, who had come on for Nicolas Tagliafico just minutes earlier. The Inter Milan striker buried it. Chaos followed.
England threw everything forward in stoppage time. Argentina held. That’s how champions do it.
What This Means for Manchester United
United fans have to be thrilled. Martinez is coming back from this tournament with another World Cup final under his belt, and the experience should only sharpen him for Premier League duty next season. He’s already a key piece for Erik ten Hag’s defense. Playing on the biggest stage and handling the pressure — even on a quiet night — can’t hurt.
Argentina will face either France or Brazil in the final. Whoever it is, Martinez and his teammates know what it takes to close out a tournament. They’ve done it before. They’re one win away from doing it again.
Leave a Comment