Man United star Lisandro Martinez had 'surgical precision in 'unforgettable' Argentina display
Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez scored and assisted as Argentina beat Cape Verde 3-2 in a thriller to reach the World Cup round of 16.
The world champions needed Diney Borges' 111th-minute own-goal to beat the team from a small collection of islands off the coast of Africa, who had been ranked 69th in the world before the tournament.
Lionel Messi's opener had promised an easy match for Argentina, but Deroy Duarte equalised to send the game to extra time.
Martinez put Lionel Scaloni's team back ahead just two minutes into extra time before Sidny Lopes Cabral's wonder strike levelled the scores again, in a stunning moment that will be etched into World Cup history.
Ultimately it was not to be for Cape Verde, who are the first team to put two past Emi Martinez in the Argentina goal since Paraguay in November 2024.
Martinez and the World Cup holders will take on Egypt in the round of 16 on Tuesday.
Lisandro Martinez's staggering display vs Cape Verde
Argentina's narrow win against Cape Verde will not be forgotten in a hurry.
The world champions were made to put everything they had into dismissing a team, who had been expected to exit as a formality.
Throughout all of the chaos, Martinez kept his head and was a figure of the quality that ultimately saw Argentina through.
The defender's pass for Messi's goal was inch-perfect, provided from inside the halfway circle and perfectly weighted into the magician's path.
His own goal was taken just as well, the 28-year-old smashing into the roof of the net and leaving the incredible Vozinha with no chance.
Martinez misplaced just three passes on the night, completing a staggering 116. He played 21 into the final third and completed a successful dribble.
The defender made a block, six clearances, one interception and four recoveries, winning three duels.
Argentine media hail Martinez
Martinez's contract situation is one Man United are due to look at, with the defender having just one year remaining with an option to extend it by another year.
After watching Friday's game, however, the 28-year-old may expect to receive a blank contract to write what he wants.
For Argentine outlet TycSports, Ernesto Provitilo wrote: "We can now say that Lisandro has had a great World Cup. Argentina needed the long ball, and Licha was there with surgical precision for a 50-meter goal-scoring pass.
"But he also needed it many times to start plays, and he did so flawlessly with perfect judgment. And when it mattered most, when the game was heating up, he delivered a spectacular goal. An unforgettable match. "