Lautaro Martínez fires Argentina past Ecuador to reach World Cup semifinals

Lautaro Martínez buried Ecuador with a first-half double on 2 July as Argentina romped into the World Cup semifinals with a 3-0 demolition.

What happened in the quarterfinal?

Argentina controlled the game from the start and needed just 23 minutes to go ahead. Lautaro Martínez opened the scoring after a quick counter, slotting past Hernán Galíndez with a low shot into the far corner. He doubled the lead before halftime, finishing off a flowing move that saw Julián Álvarez tee him up inside the box.

Why it matters for Lautaro Martínez

The brace was Lautaro Martínez’s fourth goal of the tournament and his sixth in his last five World Cup games. His movement off the ball and clinical finishing kept Ecuador’s defense stretched all night. The result also means Argentina remain unbeaten in Qatar 2022, with Martínez now one goal away from matching Gabriel Batistuta’s tally for a single World Cup.

What comes next for Argentina?

Argentina will face the Netherlands in the semifinals in Doha on 9 July. The Dutch booked their spot with a penalty shootout win over Costa Rica after a 2-2 draw. Martínez will line up against a backline marshaled by Virgil van Dijk, who has conceded just one goal in this tournament.

How the rest of the match played out

Ecuador pushed forward late but never threatened Argentina’s lead. Emiliano Martínez made two sharp saves in the second half to keep the clean sheet. The win sends Argentina to a semifinal clash that could decide whether they reach a second straight World Cup final.