Argentinian media hail Martinez as 'spectacular' bicycle kick lights up Honduras win

Lisandro Martinez strengthened his case for a starting berth at the 2026 World Cup as Argentina beat Honduras 2-0 in an international friendly, with Argentine media lauding the Manchester United centre-back for both his defensive composure and an audacious bicycle kick attempt in the opposing box.

The 28-year-old had not featured for his country since October 2024, making the appearance a significant one after another disrupted club season at Old Trafford. Martinez missed the opening months of the campaign through injury, then suffered a further calf setback that restricted him to 18 Premier League appearances. He did, however, start United’s final three matches of the season, keeping himself in contention for Lionel Scaloni’s squad.

Lautaro Martinez opened the scoring from the penalty spot for the reigning world champions, before Atletico Madrid’s Giuliano Simeone doubled the lead after the break. Lisandro Martinez was replaced by Cristian Romero shortly after the hour mark, having kept a clean sheet alongside centre-back partner Nicolas Otamendi.

Argentine newspaper Clarin awarded Martinez a rating of six, describing him as “solid defensively” against a Honduran attack that offered little threat. The publication noted he “surprised everyone” with an overhead kick inside Honduras’ penalty area that cleared the crossbar — an effort Clarin called almost a “spectacular goal”.

La Nacion also gave him a six, labelling the defender a “dedicated soldier” who showed “great intensity” and “never let up”. The outlet praised his conditioning following his recent injury troubles, with its match report stating: “After several injuries that hampered his playing time at Manchester United, he looks fit and ready whenever needed.”

Martinez was part of the Argentina squad that won the World Cup in Qatar in 2022, featuring in five of the team’s seven matches at that tournament. With the 2026 edition approaching, a positive showing against Honduras will have done his prospects no harm as Scaloni finalises his plans.