Lautaro Martínez: 'I dreamed of scoring this goal' as Argentina reaches World Cup final

Lautaro Martínez fulfilled a lifelong dream by scoring the decisive goal that propelled Argentina to a 2-1 victory over England in the World Cup 2026 semi-finals. The striker, who came on as a substitute, headed home a precise cross from Lionel Messi just eleven minutes into his appearance, securing Argentina's place in the final against Spain.

Visibly emotional after the match, Martínez shared his long-held aspiration. "I dreamed of it. I told Alexis (Mac Allister) I was going to score a goal," he said. He also recalled telling Facundo Medina from the bench that he intended to score. The significance of the moment was deeply personal, as he remembered, "The first time my dad bought me a pair of boots, I always dreamed of scoring this goal."

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Lo soñé. Le dije a Alexis (Mac Allister) que iba a hacer un gol.

Martínez, often referred to as 'El Toro,' highlighted the team's resilience and ability to come back from behind. He analyzed England's tactical approach after they took the lead, stating, "They got tired. They pressed for 60 minutes and had nothing left when they scored." He added that England's subsequent defensive posture created opportunities for Argentina. "They sat back, and that gave us the tranquility to keep the ball; the field opened up for us."

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En el banco le dije a Facu Medina que iba a entrar y a marcar.