Lisandro Martinez stepped onto the post‑match press conference with a clear message: Argentina entered the World Cup semifinal against England with a fearless mentality that refused to be intimidated by the opponent’s early lead.
A tactical shift after the 55th minute
When England struck first in the 55th minute, their rhythm softened, prompting manager Thomas Tuchel to make defensive changes, replacing Anthony Gordon with Ezri Konsa and reshaping the back line.
Lionel Messi, operating as the creative fulcrum, supplied the equaliser and later set up Lautaro Martinez’s stoppage‑time winner, a moment that underscored Argentina’s resilience.
Criticism had circled Martinez’s defensive partnership with Cristian Romero before the game, a narrative that Gary Neville amplified. Martinez answered by insisting the team focuses solely on what happens on the pitch, a stance that Romero echoed when he spoke of pride in representing his nation.
Looking ahead to the final
Martinez confirmed he will feature in the upcoming final against Spain, then plan a post‑tournament hiatus before rejoining Manchester United for pre‑season training, while Romero reflected on the privilege of wearing the Argentine shirt.