Martinez to break 48-year-old record against England

Emiliano Martinez is set to rewrite history as Argentina's most-capped goalkeeper in World Cup matches, breaking a 48-year-old record when he plays against England in the semi-final.

By playing against Switzerland in the quarter-final, the 33-year-old Martinez had already equalled Ubaldo Fillol's record of 13 World Cup appearances. If he plays against England in Atlanta, he will set a new benchmark with 14 World Cup matches.

Martinez has played 13 World Cup matches across the 2022 Qatar World Cup and the ongoing 2026 World Cup. Fillol, who helped Argentina win their first World Cup in 1978, played 13 matches across the 1974, 1978 and 1982 tournaments. Martinez had previously surpassed Sergio Romero's record of 12 World Cup matches.

The list of Argentina's most-capped goalkeepers in World Cup history includes Nery Pumpido (9 matches), Sergio Goycochea and Antonio Roma (6 each), and Roberto Abbondanzieri and Daniel Carnevali (5 each).

The semi-final against England is therefore not just a battle for a place in the final but also a personal milestone for Martinez.