'Send him back home' - Fans are angry that Lautaro Martinez wants to deny Messi the World Cup with Argentina as Higuain did in 2014.
On Saturday, December 3, 2022, Argentina recorded a 2-1 against Australia in a 2022 FIFA World Cup round of 16 fixture played at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan.
Argentina went ahead in the 35th minute when Lionel Messi converted a pullback by Nicolas Otamendi. Manchester City forward Julian Alvarez pressed well and capitalized on a mistake to score Argentina's second in the 57th minute. Enzo Fernandez deflected the ball into his own net in the 77th minute to give Australia a lifeline late in the game.
Australia tried to get a late equalizer but Argentina held on for the win and celebrated with their fans.
Lautaro compared to Higuain
Argentina Head Coach Lionel Scaloni has decided to go with Manchester City Julian Alvarez in the last two games.
Alvarez has backed the managers' decision with a goal in the final group game against Poland and another in the round of 16 against Australia.
In the 71st minute, Scaloni decided to bring in Inter Milan forward Lautaro Martinez in place of Alvarez.
Martinez with fresh legs was able to get into good goalscoring positions and was set up well by Messi on several occasions only to miss them.
The misses by Lautaro dominated social media as fans criticized his choice of finishing and decision making on several occasions.
Martinez was compared to former Argentina forward Gonzalo Higuain. Messi was the key to the Argentina team that advanced to the final of the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2015 Copa America.
Higuain was the star striker for Argentina at those tournaments and in the final was guilty of missing chances that cost Argentina the titles.
Lautaro's misses were compared to Higuain's as they rose to the top of the trends with negative reactions. The fans now believe that Scaloni was justified in his decision to go with Alvarez to start games.
Argentina now faces the Netherlands in the quarterfinals scheduled for Friday, December 9, 2022.
Lauralee
385
Lionel Messi is a man on a mission to take the World Cup home
Graphics100
347
Lukaka and his brother
rapb_12
261
Scaloni should drop Lautaro Martinez and give Pablo Dybala a chance to play.
ElenaLopez
240
Some things about Goats never change 🇦🇷
yalcouye
169
Leo Messi plays his 1000th Game tonight: 788 Goals ⚽ 348 Assists🅰️ 41 Trophies🏆 Messi magic loading....
RaghibMustafa
137
Lautaro Martinez is Belgium version of Lukaku pro...
tawaklpru
86
I play football in my own opinion as a player there's time when you're off form and we should accept that! football is won as a team not as an individual as most of us think remember that yesterday without dat last minute block from mantinze who knows what would have happened....get me well guy's I know from the start messi is Argentina and Argentina is messi truth has to be told but here I'm trying to analyze football not criticize players for example let's all see what Bruno...and Barnardo are doing to get CR7 firing but but his form is dip and that's football all is my point and good luck to messi and good luck to Argentina though I'm a CR7 fan but as well I've much respect for messi
Bankmon
53
Thé différence between Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo Messi is carrying his team Ronaldo is being carried by his team
Lapaciklr
49
na stupid striker I no like him for one day if to say na alvarez get those chances he for score 2 or 3 goals
Shmonny
41
Leo Messi with this bodyguard 😎
Jukackmnop
15
savages
denismalja123
8
Scaloni should drop Lautaro Martinez and give Pablo Dybala a chance to play.
Pablo Escobar...I wanted to say Pablo Dybala💀😶
HannaRahi
8
There no difference right😂😂?