View: Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez perfects mystic art of the penalty shootout in World Cup quarter-final victory
Penalty shootouts are known to be a game of luck and chance, but Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez is clearly an outlier to this convention.
The 30-year-old once again proved himself an Argentinian hero at the Qatar World Cup, saving two penalties during their quarter-final shootout victory over the Netherlands.
Although not troubled for large portions of the match, as Argentina strolled into a 2-0 lead thanks to the unrivalled magic of Lionel Messi, Martinez would steal the headlines ahead of the idolised figure due to his quite astonishing penalty shootout antics.
A brace from ex-Burnley forward Wout Weghorst in the match’s dying moments brought a valiant – but rather ill-disciplined – Dutch side back into the last-16 encounter and denied the Villa goalkeeper his third clean sheet of Qatar.
And although extra time was full of match-winning opportunities for both sides, penalties were eventually called, and Martinez’s moment in the spotlight arrived.
It is remarkable to think the ex-Arsenal keeper only made his international debut 18 months ago, given the confidence and aura he exuded during the shootout.
With Virgil van Dijk stepping up to take the first spot kick it was a battle of the alpha males, and the Villan came out the resounding victor.
As the Liverpool defender struck his by no means weak penalty, Martinez flung himself to his right-hand side at full stretch and palmed it away to great the great relief of the 87,000 Argentine fans rumoured to be inside the Lusail Stadium.
Following Lionel Messi’s casually rolled-in spot-kick, the Villa man doubled up with an even more impressive save from Steven Berghuis, whose penalty was destined for the side-netting without Martinez’s intervention.
Ex-Argentinian right-back Pablo Zabaleta dubbed the shot-stopper “a hero” while on punditry duty for the BBC.
He said: “Emi Martinez, a hero. We praise Messi, but Martinez is a hero.”
“He looked supremely confident going into this because of the history he’s had in competitions saving penalties,” Rio Ferdinand added.
“He is a bit crazy as well.”
Whether it be mind games, delays, confrontation, or even call it top-tier shithouse antics, Martinez has nailed the dark arts of a penalty shootout – and is now reaping the rewards for his hard work.
In last year’s Copa America semi-final, microphones could clearly pick up comments made to Colombian takers such as Yerry Mina, stating he knew where they would place the ball or stating that they were nervous and would fail to convert from 12 yards.
Three penalties were subsequently missed, Argentina progressed, and Lionel Scaloni’s side went on to win their first major trophy in 28 years.
Fast forward to Aston Villa’s 1-0 victory over Manchester United last season, and Martinez was once again on hand to embarrass his opposition from 12 yards.
As renowned penalty merchant Bruno Fernandes picked up the ball and placed it on the spot following a handball from centre-back Kortney Hause, the Argentine got to work.
Stepping off his line and walking over towards Cristiano Ronaldo, the keeper stated that Fernandes didn’t have the bottle to take the penalty and instead urged CR7 to face him from the spot.
In the end, he faced Fernandes but didn’t even need to lay a finger on the ball, as his attempt went sailing over the bar and into row Z of Old Trafford.
These numerous accounts are clear evidence that attacking talent can win you matches, but a solid defence and goalkeeper are vital to winning tournament football and claiming silverware.
He has already proven himself at club level with Aston Villa, but Martinez is now establishing himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
From an England perspective, the thought of facing Villa’s number one in a shootout is by no means a pleasant one, but France comes first, and Martinez later.
In other news, Rory Wilson is set to explode at Villa Park as Unai Emery given gift by predecessor Steven Gerrard.