Argentina made it to the World Cup semifinals after a grinding 3-1 win over Switzerland that required extra time and a red card to finally crack open. But if you watched that match and came away thinking only about Julian Alvarez’s curler or Lautaro Martinez’s late dagger, you missed something. Lisandro Martinez is quietly putting together the kind of tournament that forces people to update their rankings.
Manchester United fans who stayed up for this one got a reminder that when he’s fit, he’s a different kind of problem for opponents. FotMob has him rated as the top center back at the tournament so far with a 7.88 average. That’s not just good. That’s the best in the field.
Against Switzerland, Martinez completed three dribbles — the most of anyone on the pitch — won nine duels and made three recoveries. That’s not typical center back stuff. Most guys in his position are happy to clear it and reset. He wants the ball at his feet and wants to make something happen.
Argentine Media Saw It Too
TYC Sports wrote that he was “trouble free in anticipation” and smooth with his vertical passing. But they also pointed out the edge he plays with. The grit. The way he just keeps coming even when a game isn’t going his way. Switzerland pushed him. He pushed back.
Ole went a step further and called him practically a playmaker in extra time before Alvarez’s goal. They also noted he tried a bicycle kick at the end of regulation that almost went in. That’s not a panic play. That’s a guy who believes he can do anything on the field.
Clarin focused on his defensive awareness — marking, covering, intercepting — but admitted he struggled a bit with Breel Embolo before the red card came. That’s honest. No one is perfect for 120 minutes.
What This Means for United
The question now is whether he can carry this form back to club football. When Martinez is healthy, there aren’t many center backs with his combination of aggression and technical ability. He reads the game fast and he acts on it faster. United’s defensive problems last season were many, and Martinez missing large chunks of the year was at the top of the list.
Argentina faces England in the semis. That’s a matchup that will test every part of his game. But right now, he’s playing like someone who belongs on the biggest stage. And he might just end up being the reason Argentina gets to the final.
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