Argentina's Lisandro Martinez forced off injured in World Cup final against Spain

Argentina’s star centre-back Lisandro Martinez was forced off during the first half of the FIFA World Cup final against Spain at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford on Sunday.

The Manchester United defender, a key man at the back for Lionel Scaloni's side, who had just been booked, went down, pointed to his thigh, and held his shirt over his face, signalling that he was unable to continue.

Martinez was substituted in the 44th minute, with 38-year-old Nicolas Otamendi replacing him.

Lisandro Martinez became the first player to be booked in the World Cup final after a wayward pass from Rodrigo De Paul allowed Mikel Oyarzabal to break clear. As the Spain forward threatened to launch a counterattack, Martinez cynically brought him down to halt the move.

Lisandro has been Argentina's standout defender at World Cup 2026, leading the team in clearances (34) and ranking second in defensive interventions (63).

At the time of his substitution in Sunday's final, Martinez was tied with Gonzalo Montiel (5) for most defensive interventions.

The first half between Spain and Argentina was a goalless afair in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final in East Rutherford.

Spain were clearly a dominant team in the first half, enjoying 65% possession and having two shots on target in three attempts. Argentina failed to record a single first-half shot.

The best chance of the first half fell to Lamine Yamal; a fifth-minute effort that deflected into Emiliano Martinez's gloves.

The South Americans are striving to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back World Cups, while Spain are eyeing a second title after their maiden victory in 2010.