Martinez rescues Argentina from World Cup scare to silence Manchester United doubters

Lisandro Martinez scored a decisive extra-time goal and produced one of his finest performances in an Argentina shirt as the defending champions survived a World Cup scare against Cape Verde in Miami, winning 3-2 in the round of 32 to advance to the last 16.

The Manchester United centre-back had admitted after the final whistle that he had contemplated retiring from football following an ACL injury last year. Instead, he delivered an incisive pass that set up a Lionel Messi goal before stepping forward to finish Argentina’s second with the composure of a striker.

The numbers behind his performance were striking. Martinez completed 98 per cent of his passes and played 21 balls into the final third from centre-back, while his 74 carries demonstrated a willingness to drive forward with the ball. Defensively, he contributed six clearances and four ball recoveries as Argentina navigated a banana-skin tie that threatened to end their tournament early.

It was not an isolated display. Martinez had already played the full 90 minutes in Argentina’s group-stage wins over Algeria and Austria, keeping clean sheets in both, before being rested against Jordan as coach Lionel Scaloni managed his workload ahead of the knockout rounds.

“I was considering retirement from football after I suffered an ACL injury last year,” Martinez said, visibly emotional after the final whistle.

The performances raise a pointed question about his future at Old Trafford. Martinez missed the majority of the 2024-25 season through injury, and in his absence United’s defensive picture shifted considerably. Matthijs de Ligt established himself as a first-choice starter before a back problem interrupted his run, Harry Maguire earned a new contract under Michael Carrick, and teenagers Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven both made compelling cases for long-term roles — Heaven particularly catching the eye in the away win at Chelsea.

Martinez did start and finish all three of United’s final matches of the season, but with the top-four place already secured, the stakes were limited. He played fewer than half of United’s Premier League games last season, which complicates any conversation about a contract extension beyond his current deal, which runs until 2027.

Next season was already shaping up as a defining one for the 27-year-old at club level. Maguire will be 34 by the time it concludes, and De Ligt’s fitness remains uncertain. Martinez is using this summer to remind United — and himself — that when available, he remains exactly the defender they signed.