Argentina for once had a lesser-known player take center stage from captain and star Lionel Messi. (More Football News)
Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez saved three penalties in a shootout against Colombia to put Argentina into the Copa America final against Brazil
Argentina for once had a lesser-known player take center stage from captain and star Lionel Messi. (More Football News)
Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez saved three penalties in a shootout against Colombia 바카라 using some well-timed trash talk against his opponents 바카라 to put his team into Saturday's Copa America final against Brazil.
The 28-year-old Martinez had never played for Argentina when Franco Armani, the team's most frequent starting goalkeeper, tested positive for COVID-19 on June 12. Armani had caught the virus for a second time 바카라 doctors believed he had recovered 바카라 but protocols meant he had could not play.
Dibu, as his teammates know Martinez, started the tournament and never left Argentina's starting lineup. The Aston Villa goalkeeper had his best performance at Copa America against Colombia not only for the penalties he saved, but also for other stops during regular time.
바카라They took us to penalties and that's a question of luck,바카라 an emotional Martinez said after the match at the Mané Garrincha Stadium in Brasilia.
"Today it was down to me.바카라
Argentina could have had a much tougher match against a strong and physical Colombia team had Martinez not stopped with his feet a shot by Juan Guillermo Cuadrado only two minutes after it made 1-0 with Lautaro Martinez in the seventh minute.
Colombia eventually equalized after a fine shot by Luis Diaz and Argentinian strikers, including Messi, missed several opportunities. It was down to Martinez, who made most of his career in England, to take Argentina to the final in the shootout.
As Colombian players got set on the spot, Martinez openly challenged them. He stopped the shots by Davinson Sanchez, Yerry Mina and Edwin Cardona.
바카라I am sorry, but I will stop you, bro,바카라 Martinez yelled before he stopped Sanchez.
바카라You're laughing because you're nervous," the goalkeeper told Mina.
바카라I know you.바카라
Martinez teased Colombians so much that the referee asked him to quiet down. Then the Argentina goalkeeper stopped Cardona's shot without uttering a word.
바카라Dibu is a phenomenon, we knew he was going to stop them,바카라 Messi said after the match.
바카라We know what he is like and we trusted him. He deserves it.바카라
(AP)