LISANDRO MARTINEZ says he may not have got through his injury hell at Manchester United without the birth of his daughter.
The defender, 28, found the net as Argentina avoided a humiliating World Cup upset against minnows Cape Verde.
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Lisandro Martinez netted in Argentina’s win over Cape Verde Credit: AP
The Manchester United man stressed the importance of daughter Aurora Credit: Instagram
The defending champions wrapped up a 3-2 win after extra-time – despite Sidny Lopes Cabral’s stunning goal of the tournament contender.
And Martinez revealed he got emotional after getting his name on the scoresheet in Miami.
The Old Trafford favourite said: “I start thinking about what happened with my injury and I feel like crying.
“I don’t even know where I stand. If my daughter hadn’t been born right when I got injured, I don’t know if I’d be here playing today, and today I scored a goal in a World Cup.”
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Martinez sensationally considered retiring after damaging his anterior cruciate ligament last year.
The former Ajax man was left in agony when he suffered the injury during a defeat to Crystal Palace.
But the birth of his daughter Aurora pushed him to make his United comeback.
In a social media post earlier this year, Martinez and his partner Muri Lopez Benitez said: “How transformative was your arrival into our lives Aurora!
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Martinez was in agony when he damaged his anterior cruciate ligament Credit: Getty
“From the moment we found out you existed, everything took on another meaning, a deeper one… Waiting to hold you in our arms was wonderful!
“We took care of you so much that it took us to take care of ourselves too. It wasn’t just food and exercise, it was words, calmness, love, awareness, enjoying every second and understanding the way.
“And when you were ready, we were ready too! It was magic. You anchored us to the present.
“Our attention was so active that every day felt infinite, and time stopped having hours on a clock to have moments in the heart.”
Martinez put in a stunning performance as Argentina eventually overcame Cape Verde.
He scored, grabbed an assist, registered 98 per cent pass accuracy, made 74 carries and recorded 21 passes into the final third.
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The knockout stages of the World Cup are hotting up.
England believe football might finally be coming home after 60 years of hurt, with Harry Kane on fire.
But the likes of France, Spain, Brazil and Argentina are all serious contenders to go all the way.
Heavyweights Germany and the Netherlands have both been knocked out on penalties in the Round of 32.
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The United man also played a key role defensively, notching six clearances and four ball recoveries.
Martinez and his Argentina team-mates will now face Egypt, who beat Australia in a nail-biting penalty shootout, with a place in the quarter-finals up for grabs.
