"Lewandowski's gonna have a field day" - Argentina fans brand Lionel Scaloni as an 'idiot' as key player is benched for Poland clash

Backlash over Martinez being dropped to the bench
Backlash over Martinez being dropped to the bench

Argentina fans are enraged by Lionel Scaloni's decision to name Lisandro Martinez on the bench for their clash with Poland in Group C of the FIFA World Cup.

The pressure is on La Albiceleste to secure qualification to the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup when they take on Poland on 30 November.

Argentina will qualify for the last 16 if they beat Poland.

Scaloni's side will also advance if they draw with Poland, and Saudi Arabia's game again Mexico ends as a draw or El Tri win by two goals or fewer.

Argentina's shock 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia in their opener has left Group C all to play for.

Martinez, 24, was brought into Argentina's starting lineup on the back of the defeat to Saudi Arabia when the side took on Mexico.

La Albiceleste beat El Tri 2-0, with Martinez impressing at the back for Scaloni's side.

The Manchester United defender made four clearances, one interception and one tackle.

He headed into the FIFA World Cup tournament off the back of a superb start to life at Old Trafford with United.

Martinez made 21 appearances across competitions, helping the Red Devils keep nine clean sheets.

However, Scaloni has dropped the former Ajax centre-back to the bench for the clash with Poland.

Nicolas Otamendi and Cristian Romero have been chosen in defense instead.

Meanwhile, Emiliano Martinez will start in goal, with Nahuel Molina at right-back and Marcos Acuna at left-back.

Rodrigo De Paul and Alexis Mac Allister will be joined in midfield by Enzo Fernandez.

Benfica midfielder Fernandez scored a fantastic strike in the 2-0 victory over Mexico.

Lionel Messi will captain the side in attack alongside Julian Alvarez and Angel Di Maria.

A place in the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup beckons for Argentina, but fans are not happy with Scaloni.

One believes that Poland frontman Robert Lewandowski will now wreak havoc on the Argentine defense due to Martinez's absence.

Here are some reactions from supporters on Twitter:


Lionel Messi insists that another FIFA World Cup started for Argentina after beating Mexico

Argentina were at risk of heading home early from the World Cup in Qatar after their shock defeat to Saudi Arabia.

They then came up against a Mexico side who had drawn 0-0 with Poland in their opener.

Despite a nervy first half for Scaloni's side, they claimed a phenomenal victory through Messi and Fernandez's second-half strikes.

The Paris Saint-Germain attacker reacted to the victory, claiming another World Cup had started for the South Americans.

He said (via Eurosport):

"Today another World Cup starts for Argentina. I tell people the same thing, that they continue to believe. Today we did what we had to do. We had no other choice. We had to win so that we depended only on ourselves."

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Edited by Matthew Guyett
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