As before the quarter-final against the Netherlands, Emiliano Martinez promised his Argentine teammates to repel two attempts in the event of a penalty shootout during the 2022 World Cup final against the France team. Albiceleste coach Lionel Scaloni says.
A year later, Lionel Scaloni returned at length, in the columns of France Footballon the journey of the Argentina national team at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, from the opening defeat against Saudi Arabia (2-1, at Lusail Stadium) to the legendary final won in front of the team of France on penalties (3-3, 4 tab to 2), December 18, 2022 (again at Lusail Stadium).
The coach of Lionel Messi’s Abiceleste explains that he trained his players on penalties before the last match of the tournament, even if “ it has nothing to do with doing it » on the training ground, out of sight, and during a final in a delirious stadium of 89,000 people. We thus learn that Gonzalo Montiel, the fourth and last shooter, absolutely wanted to take a shot on goal because it was he who caused the penalty in the 3-3 converted by Kylian Mbappé (118th).
Emiliano Martinez, gentleman more
It was especially the Argentinian goalkeeper, Emiliano Martinez, who was the hero of this tercera: “In the end, “Dibu” is someone who shines, who transmits his optimism to others. Facing Colombia (in the 2021 Copa América semi-finals) or against the Netherlands during this competition, he said he would save two shots and he kept his promise each time. In those moments, it feels like it’s getting bigger, more imposing, and the goal is getting smaller. It’s a huge plus for the team, a real luxury to have him. Afterwards, he was able to bring out what he had learned about the potrero (the wasteland), in his neighborhood, to try to distract his opponents, while respecting the rules. Thanks to him, our shooters were able to face the French goalkeeper with serenity”.
As a reminder, Emiliano Martinez did not stop two opposing shots on goal. He repelled the attempt of Kingsley Coman who struck second for the Blues (after Kylian Mbappé) and Aurélien Tchouaméni then missed the target on the third penalty (Randal Kolo Muani then maintaining the suspense). Meanwhile, Hugo Lloris will have taken too easily the shots on goal from Leo Messi, Paulo Dybala, Leandro Paredes and therefore Gonzalo Montiel.
