World Cup 2026: ‘I told Mac Allister I was going to score’

Inter Milan star Lautaro Martínez confirmed that he told teammate Alexis Mac Allister that he was going to score before scoring the winner in injury time in Argentina’s 2-1 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final victory over England.

Martínez, who came off the bench in the 81st minute, headed in a cross from Lionel Messi to seal his team’s place in the final.

Also read:World Cup 2026: We didn’t know what to do after taking the lead: Rooney on England’s semi-final defeat to Argentina

After Anthony Gordon’s opener, the Three Lions parked the bus to maintain their 1-0 lead. That worked until the 85th minute when Enzo Fernández equalized.

Lautaro Martínez’s winning goal completed the comeback that Argentina has become synonymous with this tournament.

Martínez reacted after the match and said that he had dreamed of scoring the winning goal and that he was delighted that his prediction came true.

He praised Enzo Fernández’s equalizer and said that Argentina’s victory demonstrated the strength and character of the team.

“I dreamed it [the goal]I swear. I told Alexis [Mac Allister] that I was going to score.

“I told him that I was going to enter and that I was going to win, and it was my turn.

Read also: World Cup 2026: Kane regrets England’s defeat against Argentina

“Enzo also scored a great goal and now that I am calmer I can say that this team continues to show what it is made of.

“They [England] I got tired. They pressed for 60 minutes. After that, they had nothing left. They started well and then found the goal.

“Then they retreated and that gave us more peace of mind when it came to moving the ball. We opened the field and in the end we scored the two goals, and after three and a half years we are playing in a World Cup final again,” he said.