Lisandro Martinez just got voted into Who Scored’s Team of the Tournament for the World Cup, which is wild because his Argentina side just lost the final to Spain 1-0 and he had to leave the game injured in the first half. Talk about a double blow, man. Argentina, the reigning Copa America champs, fought hard but it just wasn’t enough against a Spanish squad that’s basically unbeatable right now.
Final Whistle Heartbreak in New York
This World Cup final was brutal for Argentina. They rolled into it after a stunning comeback against England in the semis, while Spain had comfortably dispatched France. But the final itself? A total grind. Spain snatched the 1-0 win thanks to a decisive Ferran Torres goal in extra time. Luis de la Fuente’s crew is on an insane run, now 38 consecutive matches unbeaten. Argentina, on the other hand, barely got anything going, and you gotta wonder how much Martinez’s first-half injury contributed to that negative approach. Even Lionel Messi was reduced to some serious “dark arts” stuff because things were just not clicking. It got even worse when Cristian Romero also got pulled with an injury in the 70th minute, and then Enzo Fernandez picked up a red card. Just a nightmare.
El Carnicero’s Bittersweet Nod
Despite all that heartbreak, Martinez’s run to the final was clearly enough to catch some eyes. Gary Neville called him one of the “best, worst centre-halves in the world,” but Martinez was absolutely crucial for his country. The 28-year-old started six of their seven games, only sitting out the third group match against Jordan because Argentina had already locked up their spot in the knockouts. He wasn’t just defending either; he made two huge contributions in attack during their pulsating 3-2 win over Cape Verde, delivering a killer pass to Messi and then scoring an emphatic finish himself. National media were calling him “exceptional”! Who Scored clearly agreed, giving El Carnicero a 7.27 rating and putting him in their Team of the Tournament. He was the only United player to make the cut, joining guys like Jude Bellingham, Rodri, Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and Erling Haaland. That’s some serious company, even if it feels a little bittersweet.
So, while that 1-0 loss to Spain and getting forced off injured had to sting something fierce, Martinez’s individual quality clearly resonated. Earning that Team of the Tournament spot, even after such a crushing defeat, proves just how integral he was to Argentina’s run in North America.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
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