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Emiliano Martínez has been described as the best and greatest after he once again came up clutch to inspire Argentina to the Copa America semifinals.
Emiliano Martinez cemented his status as the world's premier shot-stopper with another display of penalty heroics that saved Argentina's blushes against Ecuador in the Copa America quarter-finals.
The Aston Villa goalkeeper was the hero yet again for the reigning champions, producing two crucial saves in the shootout after the game had ended 1-1 after 90 minutes.
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04:47 - 05.07.2024
Argentina 1-1 Ecuador: Martinez superb steeze saves Lionel Messi from trolls after miss in shootout win
Argentina's Emiliano Martínez came up clutch again, saving Lionel Messi from criticism after he missed a penalty, in a 1-1 draw with Ecuador that ended in a shootout victory.
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Martinez stars for Argentina again
Manchester United's Lisandro Martinez had put Argentina in front in the first half, but a late Ecuador equaliser from Kevin Rodriguez sent the match to penalties.
Up first was Argentina talisman Lionel Messi, but the Barcelona legend saw his spot-kick saved to complete a bizarre week from 12 yards for two of the greatest players in the world.
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However, Martinez once again proved to be Argentina's saviour, denying Angel Mena and Alan Minda's efforts immediately after Messi's miss to fire his side through to the semi-finals.
Fans were quick to hail the 'best goalkeeper in the world' on social media, with one supporter declaring:
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YOU ARE LOOKING AT THE BEST GOALKEEPER IN THE WORLD!!! 2 BACK TO BACK SAVES IN THE PENALTY SHOOTOUTS!??"
Another Argentina fan warned: "You don't take Argentina to penalties and expect Martinez to allow you through", while one simply stated: "The Martinez family!!!! Goal scored by the butcher, 2 penalty saves from the best goalkeeper in the world. Vamos Argentina!!!!!"
One supporter admitted he would "never doubt Martinez ever again", hailing him as "the best penalty GK of all time".
Martinez's ability to get into the opposition's heads from the spot has made him a nightmare for any team facing Argentina, with one fan declaring: "He will get into your head, he will catch your penalty and he will laugh at you."
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The 31-year-old has now produced heroics for Argentina at the last three major tournaments - the 2021 Copa America, the 2022 World Cup and now the 2024 Copa America - cementing his status as the world's premier shot-stopper.
Messi and Argentina will be mightily relieved to have their penalty saving saviour between the sticks as they bid to defend their Copa America crown, with Martinez once again proving he is the best goalkeeper on the planet from 12 yards.
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