Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez was in a very triumphant mood after helping Argentina to see off Austria and book their place in the next round of the 2026 World Cup. Fine form Argentina are enjoying a fabulous World Cup campaign, largely thanks to the heroics of their captain and talisman Lionel Messi. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has been unstoppable so far at the tournament, scoring all five goals for Argentina in their wins against Algeria and Austria. He bagged a sensational hat-trick in the opener vs. Algeria and followed that up with another equally impressive brace on Monday. However, Argentina’s defensive solidity has been equally vital, with Martínez playing a central role in that resilience. With consecutive clean sheets to his name, the United star has been faultless for Argentina, translating his everyday club consistency into flawless performances on football’s ultimate stage. In the meeting with Austria, Martinez contributed seven clearances, 94% pass accuracy and three ball recoveries. He also won three of the four aerial duels that he contested. After the final whistle, Martinez took to social media to celebrate Argentina’s victory. Martinez’s reaction The 28-year-old wrote on Instagram, “Another step forward. We fought together and achieved a huge victory.” “Go Argentina!!” Martinez also spoke to the media and was full of praise for Messi, insisting that no one else in football compares to the iconic forward, who turns 39 on Wednesday. “Honestly, there are no words – all we can do is enjoy it. There’s no point comparing him to anyone else because he’s in a league of his own; he stands alone at the top.” “All we can do is enjoy it, enjoy it. I’m lost for words; I can’t find the words. I just feel such immense joy at having him here day in, day out, and that he’s Argentine.” “We really must appreciate him.” Featured image by Michael Steele/Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Latest Top Stories… Derick Kinoti Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the Premier League extensively for years. His work blends sharp analysis, tactical insight, and engaging storytelling that resonates with fans around the world. Derick has gained valuable experience in football journalism, developing strong expertise in SEO writing, digital content creation, and social media engagement. A tech enthusiast with a Computer Science degree from the University of Nairobi, he ultimately swapped code for football commentary, bringing an analytical, detail-oriented approach to his writing. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!
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