Argentina, Lautaro Martinez: backstory on the decisive penalty shot

The words of Lautaro Martinez

Lautaro Martinez scored the decisive penalty that allowed the Albiceleste to beat the Netherlands and detach the pass for the World Cup semifinal in Qatar that will see it oppose Croatia, Brazil’s executioner.

Argentina’s center forward spoke to Rai Sport this way after the win: “These weeks I’ve had discomfort in my ankle, I’ve worked a lot to get in shape right away and recover. I had to start from the bench but I’m very satisfied with the work I’m doing. Of course, it’s not finished yet but we have to keep working. Now I have to work, think about recovering and think about Croatia.”

He then revealed a backstory about the decisive penalty: “I kicked a decisive penalty, like the one in the Copa América. In that walk to the penalty spot I was very calm because I trust my work. When I grabbed the ball, I thought of my daughter. It changed my life. I work with my head down, I deserved to be here. I will never forget this penalty, it was heavy and I think I am working to be ready.”

Finally, he made no secret about Scaloni’s national team goal: “To win? We hope so. We are working for it, it is our goal. But now we have to prepare for the next game, which is Croatia, and then we’ll see.”