Lautaro Martinez Scores Four Goals in Four Matches but Returns to the Bench, Reversing Public Opinion: Argentina's $200 Million Strikers—Who Is the Ultimate Super Sub?

As Argentina prepares to face their next challenge in the Copa America semifinals, the team is once again under the spotlight. With a history of seven Copa America appearances since the turn of the century, reaching the finals five times and securing one championship and four runner-up finishes, Argentina is determined to defend their title. In a pre-match press conference, coach Lionel Scaloni made it clear: "Lautaro will be on the bench. Why not play Lautaro and Alvarez together? We need balance (between attack and defense). Who wouldn't want them both on the field at the same time? They understand this; it's painful because they are both top-tier forwards."

So far in this Copa America, Lautaro Martinez has played four times, accumulating 186 minutes and scoring four goals. Julian Alvarez has played three times, totaling 174 minutes and scoring once. The difference in their performances is quite evident. Scaloni's decision has sparked criticism on social media, with many Argentine fans arguing, "Shouldn't player selection be based on form?" "When Argentina is in trouble, besides Messi, Lautaro is the most likely player to become a key figure. How can such a player not start?" "Not fielding the in-form striker makes me not even want to turn on the TV..."

Interestingly, at the start of this Copa America, the majority opinion favored starting Alvarez over Lautaro. Initial polls from Argentine TV showed that 81% of fans did not support Lautaro starting. However, support for Lautaro has now become the majority. Argentine media have even started to promote the idea that Lautaro should be ranked higher in the Ballon d'Or race, arguing that this year's competition is "Europe's best vs. South America's lone star Vinicius." But in reality, Lautaro should also represent South America in this competition. Even if winning the Ballon d'Or is difficult, he should at least be in the top five. This underscores a fundamental truth in football: performance is the best way to erase past criticisms.

Lautaro, who played through injury during the Qatar World Cup, faced criticism from millions worldwide, but he has now turned his reputation around. An analyst from "Ole" posed a question in their column: "Lautaro (valued at $110 million) and Alvarez (valued at $90 million) are both seemingly super subs, but in reality, Scaloni's decision to make Lautaro a substitute is because he can do things Alvarez cannot." Does this argument hold water? Let’s delve into an analysis.

On the surface, both Lautaro and Alvarez have super sub attributes. But a crucial distinction must be made: this is true primarily in club football. Since joining Serie A in July 2018, Lautaro has come off the bench for a total of 1100 minutes, scoring 19 goals, making him the second-highest scorer from the bench in this period, with the highest efficiency. In contrast, since joining Manchester City, Alvarez has made 23 substitute appearances in the Premier League, totaling 409 minutes, scoring 3 goals and providing 1 assist. While this doesn't place him in the top 20 super subs in the Premier League over the past two years, it is still a commendable performance. In the Champions League, Alvarez also had a standout moment, scoring and assisting within 11 minutes as a substitute against Leipzig.

However, the situation is markedly different in the national team. To date, Lautaro has played 62 times for Argentina, accumulating 3691 minutes, starting 45 times and scoring 22 goals, averaging a goal every 154 minutes. As a substitute, he has played 17 times for a total of 330 minutes, scoring 6 goals, averaging a goal every 55 minutes—a significant difference. Alvarez has made 34 appearances for Argentina, totaling 1840 minutes, with 14 substitute appearances spread across World Cup qualifiers (6), Copa America (2), World Cup (2), and friendlies (4). In these 14 matches totaling over 500 minutes, he has neither scored nor assisted, contributing no tangible achievements.

In this Copa America, Alvarez started the first two group matches while Lautaro played the role of a "super sub." In Argentina's third and fourth matches, Lautaro started and continued to score, but Alvarez, coming off the bench, did not fulfill the "late game finisher" role, forcing Argentina into a penalty shootout against Ecuador. After such trials, "Ole" experts concluded that Argentina's decision to use Lautaro as a substitute is based on practical evidence: at least in the national team, Lautaro's performance as a substitute significantly surpasses Alvarez's ability to handle this role.

Perhaps the words of South American football legend Sanchez shed some light on this matter. Sanchez remarked, "It is not easy to quickly understand the game situation upon entering the pitch, but Lautaro always manages to grasp everything quickly." This ability might explain why Lautaro has returned to the bench.

Lautaro’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance and performance in football. His journey from being heavily criticized to becoming a pivotal figure for both club and country illustrates how quickly fortunes can change in this sport. His resilience and ability to seize opportunities have not only silenced his critics but also placed him at the center of Argentina’s strategic planning.

For Argentina, balancing the utilization of Lautaro and Alvarez remains a challenge. Both strikers offer unique qualities, and finding the right moments to deploy them can be crucial for the team's success. Lautaro’s efficiency as a substitute provides Scaloni with a potent weapon in tight matches, while Alvarez’s potential and versatility make him an essential part of Argentina’s future.

As the Copa America progresses, the dynamics of Argentina’s attack will be closely watched. The decision to start Alvarez while keeping Lautaro as a super sub might be seen as a calculated risk, aimed at maintaining a balanced approach on the field. However, it also underscores the depth of talent available to Scaloni and the tactical flexibility he has at his disposal.

In conclusion, the debate over who should start and who should come off the bench highlights the wealth of attacking options for Argentina. Lautaro’s resurgence and Alvarez’s promise ensure that Argentina remains a formidable force in South American football. Whether as a starter or a super sub, Lautaro’s impact on the game is undeniable, and his role will be crucial as Argentina continues its quest for Copa America glory.