Emiliano Martinez hailed Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez after Argentina’s crucial World Cup win over Mexico in Qatar on Saturday.
The Aston Villa goalkeeper stated ‘wow’ on Instagram after Lionel Messi and Enzo Fernandez’s goals got Argentina back on track at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
It was a pretty sloppy, nervous and edgy performance from one of the pre-World Cup favourites. However, those three points mean that Lionel Scaloni’s men are still on track to progress from Group C, with Poland sitting top on four points, Argentina second on three points, level with third-placed Saudi Arabia and Mexico heading for an early exit on one point.
MARTINEZ BROUGHT BACK INTO THE XI
The in-form Manchester United defender was on the bench for Argentina’s shocking defeat to Saudi Arabia, but he was brought back yesterday.
To no one’s surprise, it was a typical Martinez-like display, putting his head when others put their foot and consistently getting his team on the front foot with his aggressive defending.
His namesake, Villa’s own number one, was also back to his best also after conceding two – from two shots on target – against the Saudis and he responded to Lisandro’s display yesterday by posting in the comments section ‘wow’
Argentina may have come into this tournament as one of the favourites, but the football they are playing, at this moment in time, just reeks of a team struggling with the sheer pressure on the South American giants.
Their midfield isn’t just clicking enough and it’s easy for the opposing teams to drown them out and force them into mistakes.
But, the three points are on the board and, at the end of the day, if you are going to be rusty, nervous and produce your worst football, then do it during your first few games of the World Cup, rather than in the knockout stages.
