Lisandro Martinez produced one of the standout performances of the World Cup so far as Argentina edged past Cape Verde 3-2 after extra time.
The Manchester United defender played a decisive role in Miami. He first picked out Lionel Messi with a superb long pass for Argentina’s opener, before scoring himself in extra time to put the holders back in front.
Manchester United’s official report framed Martinez as central to Argentina’s survival, while Sky Sports described the match as a major scare for the defending champions.
For Michael Carrick, the performance should be hugely encouraging. Martinez did not only help Argentina through an awkward knockout tie. He also showed the progressive passing, front-foot defending and attacking threat that can still make him such an important player for United.
Martinez Gives Carrick A Timely Reminder
ReadManUtd has already been tracking Martinez’s World Cup campaign with Argentina, and this was his strongest statement yet.
His pass for Messi’s opener showed the value of his range from the back. His extra-time goal then underlined his ability to step into decisive moments rather than simply control them from deep.
The Analyst noted that Martinez became the first Argentina player other than Messi to score and assist in the same World Cup match since Hernan Crespo and Carlos Tevez against Serbia in June 2006.
That is the line United should take back to Carrington. Martinez is not just getting minutes. He is shaping major knockout games.
Carrick will still have to manage the wider picture. A long Argentina run means more emotional and physical load before pre-season, but United will prefer that problem to the alternative.
After a stop-start spell at club level, Martinez looks sharp, confident and fully involved again. That could matter when Carrick begins turning United’s revived mood into something more durable.
