Why is Lautaro Martinez benched in Spain vs Argentina FIFA World Cup 2026 final?
(Courtesy : Getty)
Lautaro Martinez has been named among the substitutes in the Spain vs Argentina match.
Argentina are set to face Spain in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19. Lionel Scaloni is attempting to lead La Albiceleste to back-to-back World Cup titles, becoming only the third team to achieve this feat.
The Argentine head coach has named his starting lineup for Sunday’s clash. However, some big names have been relegated to the bench, including star striker Lautaro Martinez.
The Inter Milan striker will count himself unfortunate not to return to the starting lineup, having scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner against England in the semi-finals. This marked his third goal in the tournament and his 40th overall international goal in 84 international caps.
In his place, Scaloni has kept his faith with Julian Alvarez. The Atletico Madrid forward starts up front along with Lionel Messi. Nicolas Gonzalez and Rodrigo De Paul start in the wide areas. Alexis Mac Allister and Enzo Fernandez start in midfield.
Also Read: Lautaro Martínez: List of all goals in FIFA World Cup history
Why is Lautaro Martinez not starting?
Martinez has been dropped to the bench for purely tactical reasons, with Scaloni preferring Alvarez’s tactical profile. The 26-year-old is a brilliant presser who tries to win the ball back whenever the opposition have it. His work rate will be key for La Albiceleste against the rock-solid Spanish defence.
Martinez has been superb off the bench in the tournament. He came off the bench and found the back of the net in the last two matches against England and Switzerland. He also registered an assist against Egypt, coming on late in the second half.
Scaloni will hope that Martinez can play an equally important role in tonight’s clash, with tonight’s final likely to go down to the wire.
When is the Spain vs Argentina FIFA World Cup 2026 final?
The final will be played on Sunday, July 19, 2026, at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. In India, the match will kick off at 12:30 AM IST on July 20.
How to watch Spain vs Argentina match in India?
Fans in India can watch the match live on DD Sports (free‑to‑air via DD Free Dish) and on Unite8 Sports channels. For streaming, the game will be available on the ZEE5 app and website, requiring the FIFA World Cup subscription pack.
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Sushruta has spent over two years covering football, with a particular focus on Indian and international competitions. Alongside football, he has reported on a variety of sports, bringing curiosity and perspective to every story. When he’s not following the action, he can usually be found binge-watching movies or getting lost in a good book.