Copa America 2019: Qatar 0-2 Argentina - 3 talking points

#1 Lautaro Martinez making a strong case to be Argentina's starting center-forward

Lautaro Martinez could be the next big thing in attack for Argentina

Over the last decade, there has perhaps been no country which has been as blessed in the striking department as Argentina.

The South American giants could call upon the services of multiple world-class center-forwards who plied their trade in the biggest leagues in Europe including Gonzalo Higuain, Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tevez, and Diego Milito.

However, more often than not, these players failed to pull their weight on the big stages, leaving the bulk of the goalscoring work to fall on the boots of Lionel Messi.

Of the aforementioned players, all have departed the international scene except Sergio Aguero and the 31-year-old was given the nod to start Argentina's first group match against Colombia.

The Manchester City man however flattered to deceive and was consequently dropped to the bench in favor of Inter Milan youngster Lautaro Martinez.

Despite only coming into the Argentina fold last year, the 21-year-old has settled in nicely and has scored five goals from his first nine matches for Los Albiceleste.

It was his industrialism that helped win the penalty in the match against Paraguay, while he went one further by opening the scoring in the 4th minute against Qatar to help ease early jitters from Argentina.

There has been a lot of furor over the continued exclusion of Mauro Icardi from the Argentine setup, but it is pertinent to note that even on the occasions where the 25-year-old has been given chances, he has failed to take them.

However, having taken his starting shirt at club level, Lautaro Martinez could well displace Icardi in the national team and displays with Argentina shows that he and not his Inter teammate potentially has what it takes to lead the attack for Argentina for the next decade.