Lisandro Martinez produced a masterclass display as Argentina continued their chase for back-to-back World Cup triumphs with a victory over debutants Cape Verde.
The world champions eased through the group phase of the 2026 World Cup before making light work of Cape Verde with a 3-2 win in the round of 32 after extra time.
Manchester United centre-back Lisandro Martinez missed a lot of football last season due to injury, but the 28-year-old has been a mainstay for Argentina since the beginning of the tournament.
And, much to the delight of United fans keeping an eye on Martinez at the World Cup, it was a masterclass performance from ‘The Butcher’.
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Lisandro Martinez registers goal and assist against Cape Verde
It was a strong performance from Martinez in the heart of defence.
Untroubled for the most part, it was a complete display from United’s defender.
Halfway through the first half, Martinez directed a pinpoint 40-yard long ball perfectly over the top to unlock the defence. Lionel Messi made it look easy to cushion as well as put away his effort on goal to give the world champions the lead before the interval.
Furthermore, it was Messi’s 20th World Cup goal following intricate link-up play with Martinez.
Argentina started the second half at walking pace and paid the price in the 59th minute when Deroy Duarte scored an equaliser in the round of 32 affair.
Not only did that throw away Martinez’s chance of helping Argentina keep a clean sheet in their first knockout match of the tournament, but it also gave Cape Verde an unexpected chance against the reigning world champions.
Martinez was given a licence to bring the ball out of defence and into the forward positions. He was trying to orchestrate attacking moves from the back after assisting Messi in the first half.
In the first half of extra time, Martinez got on the scoresheet as Argentina took the lead for a second time. It was his second goal for the national team as a corner was lifted into the box, only for Alexis Mac Allister to flick it on at the near post. The ball dropped to Martinez before he hit the roof of the net with a shot following one touch to control it.
Cape Verde’s story didn’t end there.
In the 103rd minute, Sidny Lopes Cabral scored one of the goals of the tournament to level the scoring. He cut inside from the left and curled a thunderbolt into the top corner.
Argentina took the lead again in the 111th minute when Christian Romero converted a corner from Messi.
Cape Verde kept pushing until the end, forcing Martinez to make an important block in the closing minutes to deny the tournament debutants a third equaliser.
Martinez finished the game having completed the most passes (117), touching the ball 131 times.
He also made an impressive 21 passes into the final third.
- ⚡️ NEWS IN BRIEF
- Lisandro Martinez has been a mainstay in Argentina’s defence at the 2026 World Cup
- The Manchester United defender assisted Lionel Messi for his 20th World Cup goal
- Martinez also scored his second goal for Argentina to help secure Argentina’s place in the last 16
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Lisandro Martinez will face Egypt in the last 16
After beating Cape Verde in the round of 32, Argentina will take on a Mohamed Salah-inspired Egypt side in the next round.
Egypt beat Australia 4-2 on penalties to secure their place in the next round.
Argentina will be relying on Messi and co to guide them into the World Cup quarter-finals.
The world champions will be the clear favourites against Egypt on Tuesday.
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