World Cup final: Lisandro Martinez's fiery display ends in injury, sparks frenzy among Man United fans

Published 19 July 2026 · sports

Argentina suffered a major setback in the first half of the FIFA World Cup final against Spain after defender Lisandro Martinez was forced off with

Argentina suffered a major setback in the first half of the FIFA World Cup final against Spain after defender Lisandro Martinez was forced off with an injury following a typically combative display that had already seen him pick up the game's first yellow card. The Manchester United centre-back, known for his aggressive defending, was at the heart of several crunching challenges as Argentina looked to disrupt Spain's rhythm at MetLife Stadium. Martinez's intensity, however, came at a cost as his evening ended prematurely, leaving both Argentina and Manchester United fans fearing the worst ahead of the new club season. Read Full Story Spain vs Argentina, World Cup Final: Highlights FIERY START Martinez wasted little time imposing himself on the contest. The defender threw himself into tackles from the opening whistle, looking to halt Spain's quick passing game with his trademark aggression.

His physical approach finally caught up with him in the 40th minute when he lunged in from behind on Rodri as the Spain midfielder attempted to drive through the middle. Referee Anthony Taylor immediately showed the first yellow card of the World Cup final, while VAR saw no reason to recommend a review. Lisandro Martinez pulls off a fiery challenge on Spain's Rodri at the World Cup final. (Image: Reuters) Barely a minute later, Martinez was involved again, dragging down Mikel Oyarzabal as the Spanish forward looked set to race through on goal. Already on a booking, the defender suddenly found himself walking a disciplinary tightrope. FORCED OFF The evening soon went from bad to worse for Martinez. Moments after his yellow card, the Argentina defender went down clutching his leg and required lengthy treatment on the pitch.

Despite attempts to continue, Martinez signalled that he could not carry on, forcing Lionel Scaloni into an early change in the heart of Argentina's defence. Lisandro Martinez was subbed off before half-time in the World Cup final. (Image: Reuters) Veteran Nicolas Otamendi replaced the injured centre-back, making his 139th appearance for Argentina in one of the biggest matches of his international career. UNITED FANS CONCERNED The injury immediately triggered a flood of reactions on social media, with Manchester United supporters expressing concern over the fitness of one of the club's most important defenders. Many feared another lengthy spell on the sidelines for Martinez, who battled injury problems before returning to establish himself once again as a key figure for both club and country. Fans' reaction on social media on Lisandro Martinez.