Argentina’s FIFA World Cup 2026 final setup suffered a major blow right before halftime on Sunday when core defender Lisandro Martínez was forced off the field due to an apparent injury during a tense, goalless opening half against Spain at MetLife Stadium.
The Manchester United center-back pulled up in distress shortly after receiving the game's first yellow card in the 41st minute for a heavy tackle from behind on Spanish forward Mikel Oyarzabal. Immediately after the challenge, Martínez went down and signaled toward the Argentine bench that he could not continue. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez frantically signaled for help, prompting manager Lionel Scaloni to hurriedly send 38-year-old veteran Nicolás Otamendi onto the pitch in the 43rd minute.
A Lackluster Opening 45 Minutes
Martínez's early departure compounded a sluggish opening period for the defending global champions. Argentina delivered a surprisingly lackluster performance throughout the first half, failing to establish their usual rhythm or test Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simón.
With Spain dominating possession through Rodri and Fabian Ruiz, Lionel Messi and Julián Álvarez were starved of service upfront. Scaloni’s men struggled to break line presses, opting to absorb pressure rather than assert their typical attacking style. Spain threatened periodically through Lamine Yamal on the right flank, but neither side managed to break the 0-0 deadlock before the referee blew the halftime whistle.
Major Concern for Scaloni
The injury to Martínez leaves Argentina's backline severely vulnerable for the remaining 45 minutes and potential extra time. The 28-year-old defender had been one of Argentina's most reliable performers throughout their knockout campaign, providing both defensive aggressiveness and vital ball-playing capability out from the back.
As the two continental champions head into the tunnel tied at 0-0, Scaloni faces a massive tactical challenge. With Otamendi anchoring the defense against Spain’s lightning-fast wingers, Argentina will need a vastly improved second-half display if they are to retain their world crown.
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