Lisandro Martínez just put together the kind of performance that makes defensive statistics look like poetry. In Argentina’s 2026 FIFA World Cup opener against Algeria, the Manchester United center-back played every minute, completed all 64 of his passes, registered 75 touches, and won 100% of the duels he contested.
Messi’s milestone, Martínez’s masterclass
It’s hard to steal headlines from Lionel Messi on any given day. It’s nearly impossible when Messi scores a hat-trick on his 200th cap for the national team. But Martínez’s statistical line tells a story that deserves its own chapter.
The 3-0 scoreline tells you how comfortable Argentina looked. Messi’s three goals grabbed the spotlight, as they should. But a clean sheet in a tournament opener is the foundation that allows attacking players to operate without anxiety. Martínez was central to building that foundation.
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