Italian journalist Paolo Condo believes that Inter striker Lautaro Martinez could well have turned a corner with his decisive penalty in Argentina’s shootout win over the Netherlands in a World Cup quarterfinal.
Speaking to Italian broadcaster Sky Sport Italia, via FCInter1908, Condo praised the 25-year-old Nerazzurri striker for keeping his nerve to score from the spot to put his national team through to the semifinals of the World Cup in Qatar.
Martinez has not had the World Cup that had been expected of him so far.
The 25-year-old came into the tournament with the expectation that he would be a key player for the Albiceleste, but instead he has dropped to the bench in favour of Manchester City’s Julian Alvarez, failing to score or assist a goal despite the team reaching the latter stages of the tournament.
Martinez has still found ways to help the team from the bench despite his lack of form, and the penalty to send the team to the semifinals could well be a moment that sees him finally cast off the dark clouds.
“It could be the turning point for Lautaro’s World Cup,” Condo remarked, “which has been quite disappointing so far.”
“He took a penalty under immense pressure, and executed it perfectly.”
