Lautaro Martínez described Argentina’s decisive World Cup semi-final victory over England as one of the happiest moments of his career after scoring the goal that secured a place in the final.
The Inter captain headed home the winner against England, sparking emotional celebrations and creating a remarkable link with Nerazzurri legend Javier Zanetti.
The last Argentine player to score against England at a World Cup had been Zanetti in 1998. Like Lautaro, Zanetti was an Inter captain, wore the number 22 and was dressed in Argentina’s blue away shirt.
“Incredible — even with the number 22 and the blue shirt,” Lautaro said after the match. “These are all things that destiny gave me today, so today is pure happiness. I am very happy.”
Lautaro said the goal meant even more because it carried Argentina into another World Cup final.
“It means so much to me because it is a goal that takes us into a final,” he said. “It is the type of goal every Argentine would want to score, and I was the one who scored it. My desire and my happiness are at their highest.”
The striker immediately turned towards the corner of the stadium where his family were seated after seeing the ball hit the net.
“I started looking for my family because they were there near the corner flag,” Lautaro explained. “I thought about my children, who changed my life, my wife, my brothers who were there and my entire family back in Argentina.”
The goal continued Lautaro’s impressive tournament and strengthened his status as one of Argentina’s key figures ahead of the World Cup final against Spain.
