Argentina hero vents frustration at World Cup final snub

Lautaro Martinez did not get on the pitch in the World Cup final (Picture: Getty Images)

Despite scoring the winner in Argentina’s semi-final, Lautaro Martinez was left on the bench for the World Cup final and he does not sound happy about it.

Martinez watched from the bench as Argentina were beaten 1-0 by Spain on Sunday in New Jersey.

The Europeans dominated the game but needed extra time to down the South American champions, when Ferran Torres netted the winner.

Argentina were not helped by an

Enzo Fernandez

red card shortly before the end of normal time, which changed manager Lionel Scaloni’s plans, as did an injury to

Lisandro Martinez

in the first half.

However, with his team unable to muster up a shot on target in 120 minutes, it was something of a surprise that Lautaro Martinez remained unused.

The

Inter Milan

superstar has scored 40 goals for his country in 84 caps, three of those goals coming in this tournament, but did not get a crack at Spain in the sport’s biggest game.

While he did not come out swinging for his manager, a pointed ‘oh well’ made his feelings clear on the situation.

Lionel Scaloni could not solve the Spanish puzzle in New Jersey (Picture: Getty Images)

‘We gave it our all; for the second

World Cup

in a row, we reached the final, though this time it wasn’t meant to be,’ Martinez wrote on Instagram. ‘I am so proud to be Argentine.

‘I would have liked to try to help the team out on the pitch yesterday, but oh well.

‘Thank you to everyone who supported us throughout this World Cup —traveling kilometre after kilometre to be close to us — and to everyone who cheered us on from every corner of our country.’

Martinez headed in the winner in the semi-final against England (Picture: Getty Images)

Scaloni hinted that he could be coming to the end of his time as Argentina manager, when his contract comes to an end in December.

The 48-year-old may have come up short on Sunday but has won a World Cup and two Copa Americas in an incredible spell in charge of this team.

‘I have an idea of what I want to do, I’ll fulfill the contract and then I’ll see. The truth is I feel the need to think, because I don’t know if I’ll be able to do something as big as this,’ said the former

West Ham

defender.

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