Lautaro Martínez

Analysis: Martinez came off the bench for the final nine minutes of Wednesday's win. He rose highest and met a Lionel Messi cross brilliantly to take the lead in stoppage time. The striker hasn't played a huge role throughout the tournament, but he's an excellent option off the bench. He will be a lethal option as Argentina head into the World Cup final.

Jul 12, 2026

Scores one goal off bench

Martinez scored one goal to go with two shots (one on goal) and two chances created in Saturday's 3-1 victory over Switzerland. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 98th minute.

Analysis: Martinez registered one goal and two shots (one on target) across his 35 minutes in Saturday's 3-1 extra-time win over Switzerland, converting the rebound in the 120th minute after Thiago Almada's drive into the area was denied by Gregor Kobel, with the ball falling kindly into the path of the Inter Milan striker for an empty-net finish that ended Switzerland's World Cup campaign with seconds remaining. The striker now has two World Cup goals at this tournament and his ability to deliver decisive contributions from the bench in the closing stages of knockout matches has become one of Argentina's most reliable weapons heading into the England semi-final.