Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
ARAB SPRING
Argentina striker Martinez vows they will bounce back after Saudi meltdown: This is THE match... we are united and strong... we will break our backs for the fans
in Doha
LAUTARO MARTINEZ warned Argentina are not under any pressure despite their World Cup prospects hanging by a thread.
Argentina were the victims of one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history as they crashed to a 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia in the Group C opener on Monday.
Now, anything but a win over Mexico in Doha tonight will see Lionel Messi & Co crash out of the tournament and leave the
Argentine legend’s last chance of winning the biggest prize in tatters. Martinez, who has scored 21 goals in 41 appearances, added: “We were in pain because of the Saudi game.
“But you don’t have enough time to dwell. We have to be ready to face a really tough opponent. We have to think about winning. That’s our ultimate goal.
“It’s behind us. We need to keep calm and think positively. Mexico play with open players, so we will have need to counter-attack and make the most of our chances.
“We are a strong team and very much united. We know how to rise up from a difficult moment.
“It will be THE match for us, like a final, because we need to win. We need to prove we have the players. We haven’t talked about the pressure. There is none.
“We are confident and have trust in each other. Now we will break our backs for the Argentina fans.”
Lionel Scaloni’s side came into Qatar 2022 as one of the favourites, following a 36-game unbeaten run that included winning the 2021 Copa America.
While all eyes will be on Messi, Inter Milan ace Martinez says it is another all-time hero who could end up inspiring the team to a much-needed triumph.
Yesterday was the second anniversary of the death of Diego Maradona, who led Argentina to World Cup glory in 1986.
Martinez (above) said: “We know it is a very special day and as Argentinians, we have it in our minds. He was a very important person for Argentina and for global football.
“He left us with some extraordinary memories and I hope in this game we can bring some joy to the people of Argentina who are thinking about him.”
Boss Scaloni says he has avoided the criticism coming at him from all angles from back home – and believes Maradona will be looking down on his men.
Scaloni said: “I don’t read the press. What is the point?
“It is sad for us to think about Maradona, but he is looking down at us from the sky.
“Hopefully this will be a happy day for all of us and we can provide that joy.”