Manchester United centre-back Lisandro Martinez has been included in the Copa America Team of the Week following the quarter-finals.
There was no shortage of drama when Argentina beat Ecuador on penalties in the quarter-finals. The world champions came close to disaster in the Copa America after throwing away a late lead, with Kevin Rodriguez’s equaliser in stoppage-time to make it 1-1.
Lisandro Martinez found the back of the net for the first time in his Argentina career after he gave Lionel Scaloni’s side the lead in the first half.
Martinez led from the back and has earned a place in the Copa America Team of the Week. He is joined by PSG midfielder Manuel Ugarte, who has been linked with a move to United this summer.
Copa America Team of the Week: E. Martinez; Aramburu, Sanchez, Li. Martinez, Hincapie; Rios, Ugarte, Rodriguez; Raphinha, Rondon, Shaffelburg.
Lionel Messi tried to chip down the middle to begin the shootout but hit the crossbar. Emiliano Martinez bailed him out, saving two penalties as Argentina reached the semi-finals.
As far as Manchester United are concerned, the club will be pleased to see Lisandro Martinez performing strongly alongside Tottenham’s Cristian Romero.
United were without their best defender for most of last season due to injuries, so everyone at the club will want to see him fully fit ahead of the new campaign. The Copa America will work in Martinez’s favour given he missed so much football last term.
Meanwhile, Alejandro Garnacho has not played as regularly as Martinez at Copa America and had to settle for a place on the bench against Ecuador.
Garnacho took to Instagram and sent a rallying call for Argentina as they booked their place in the semi-finals.
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“ALL TOGETHER to the Semi-Finals!!!,” Garnacho wrote.
World champions take on Canada in semi-finals
Argentina will play Canada in the semi-finals of the Copa America.
Canada were successful after a quarter-final penalty shootout against Venezuela.
Martinez is fully expected to start the game, while we’ll likely see Garnacho named on the bench again. Both players will miss pre-season as a result of their Copa America involvement.
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