Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez has reminded everyone of his quality after producing a top performance for Argentina at the World Cup.
The centre-back played a big role as Argentina secured a 2-0 victory over Austria in their second group match.
The result helped Argentina move closer to the next stage, while Martinez once again showed why he remains an important player for both club and country.
The 28-year-old started on the left side of Argentina’s defence in a back four and looked comfortable throughout the match.
His performance received strong praise from Argentine media, with many believing the Manchester United star was one of the best players on the pitch.
Martinez shows his best qualities for Argentina
Martinez was calm and confident from the opening minutes. He touched the ball 84 times during the match and completed an impressive 95% of his passes.
The defender was not only strong in defence but also helped Argentina control the game with the ball.
He regularly moved into good positions to receive passes and gave his teammates an easy option when they were under pressure.
Austria tried to put pressure on Martinez, but the United defender handled the situation well. His ability to stay calm, make quick decisions, and play out from the back helped Argentina keep control.
The Argentine also made eight important defensive actions and won four of his six duels.
His aggressive style and strong tackling were on show, but he also proved he can be a smart player who understands the game.
One of the biggest moments came when Martinez created a brilliant chance for Thiago Almada. He spotted Almada’s run and played a quality long pass forward, showing his vision and technical ability.
Argentine media cannot stop praising United star
Martinez’s display did not go unnoticed back home. Argentine outlet TyC Sports gave him an excellent rating of 8/10 after the match.
Only Lionel Messi received a higher score after his match-winning performance.
Photo: Ian MacNicol/Getty Images
TyC Sports described Martinez as “the best defender and one of the best on the team”, showing how highly his performance was rated.
For Argentina, having Martinez playing at his best is a major boost. The national team is trying to defend its World Cup crown, and strong defensive performances will be important as the tournament continues.
The defender has already built a reputation as a player who brings passion, leadership, and confidence to the team. Those qualities were clear again against Austria.
Big boost for Manchester United and Michael Carrick
Martinez’s performance will also be great news for Manchester United boss Michael Carrick.
The defender has suffered a difficult period over the last two years because of repeated injury problems. Those setbacks have limited his appearances and stopped him from building regular momentum.
However, when Martinez is fully fit, he has shown that he can compete with the best defenders in the game.
His ability with the ball, his defensive strength, and his personality make him a valuable player at Old Trafford.
United has missed having Martinez available consistently, especially because he gives the team a different style from the back. He is comfortable playing under pressure and helps the team start attacks.
Carrick will now hope Martinez can continue this strong form at the World Cup and return to Manchester United with confidence.
A fully fit Martinez could become a key figure again for the Red Devils as they look to improve and compete at the highest level.
For now, the focus remains on Argentina’s World Cup journey, but this performance has shown that Lisandro Martinez is still a top-class defender when he is healthy and ready.
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