2026 World Cup: Lautaro Martinez Gets Zero Minutes in the Final; Antonio Conte Is Displeased

Lautaro Martinez watched from the sidelines as “his” Argentina lose the World Cup final from the bench. Not even a minute on the field for the Inter captain, who went from being the hero of the semifinal against England to a complete benchwarmer against Spain in the World Cup final.

After much debate over whether it was the right call to start him in the championship match—due to injuries, Enzo Fernández’s red card, and head coach Scaloni’s decisions—Lautaro Martínez was left to suffer on the bench, without a chance to help Messi and his teammates, not even in extra time.

“Lautaro Martinez would have been useful. Fernandez’s red card late in the second half certainly complicated Scaloni’s plans. In my opinion, he would have wanted to bring Lautaro on in extra time. But then there was an injury, and the final substitution was used. It’s a shame because Lautaro was in excellent physical and mental condition and could have made a difference,” said Antonio Conte to DAZN.

Inter fans were furious, openly criticizing Argentine coach Scaloni’s decision to leave “Toro” on the bench for the entire match. And to think that, up until the match against England, he was considered the striker in the best form—Messi aside.