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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Tom Victor

Lionel Messi forced to defend Argentina team-mate after reaching World Cup quarter-finals

Lionel Messi Argentina Lautaro Martinez World Cup Emi Martinez Australia Julian Alvarez Mat Ryan

Lionel Messi has defended Argentina team-mate Lautaro Martinez after the substitute missed a pair of big late chances against Australia.

The Copa America champions beat the Socceroos 2-1 to set up a quarter-final clash with Netherlands. Messi and Julian Alvarez scored for Lionel Scaloni's team, with Messi passing Diego Maradona's World Cup tally in the process, but an Enzo Fernandez own goal set up a nervy final few moments and goalkeeper Emi Martinez needed to make a big late save to preserve the win.

Lautaro Martinez replaced Alvarez for the final 20 minutes, and had chances to make the game safe only to send one golden chance off-target and fire a second too close to Mat Ryan. After the game, though, Messi came to the defence of his compatriot.

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