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Martinez ready to honour Messi after World Cup final pain

Lisandro Martinez has arrived in Buenos Aires determined to celebrate Lionel Messi's international farewell despite the lingering heartbreak of Argentina's World Cup final loss to Spain. The Manchester United defender urged his team-mates to look forward and embrace the home tribute at Estadio Monumental following a gruelling tournament campaign.

Video: 'the last dance' holds a surprise: Messi bids farewell to Argentina in a different way

What is it?

Maradona's doctor drops a bombshell about the final days of the Argentina legend

"He refused the examination before his death"

Spain v Argentina: Final - FIFA World Cup 2026

Despite international retirement: Messi in one 'last dance' to bid farewell to Argentina

To bid a farewell befitting the legend

Spain v Cabo Verde: Group H - FIFA World Cup 2026

How have debutant teams performed at the FIFA World Cup?

Four nations made debuts at the 2026 World Cup, with Cape Verde, Curacao, Jordan and Uzbekistan gracing the grandest stage in international football for the first time. It was the tournament with the most newcomers since 2006 and Cape Verde achieved the feat of ending a 16-year wait for a debutant to reach the knockout stages, before succumbing to Lionel Messi's Argentina in a classic.

Video: Mané: We’ll beat Iraq 3–0

Iraq has been drawn in a difficult group

Pos	Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	+/-	PTS	Form
2	Kashiwa Reysol	8	6	0	2	17	12	5	18	W W L L W
3	Sanfrecce Hiroshima	8	5	2	1	20	6	14	17	W W L W D
4	Machida Zelvia	8	5	2	1	21	10	11	17	L D W W D
5	FC Tokyo	8	5	2	1	14	8	6	17	W W W D W
6	Yokohama F.Marinos	8	4	2	2	13	9	4	14	W D W D L

Pos

Team

+/-

PTS

Form