Lionel Scaloni, the manager of defending champions Argentina, praised the performance of goalkeeper Emi Martinez after he helped secure a spot in the Copa America semi-finals. On Thursday, the game against Ecuador ended 1-1 in normal time and it went to penalties. Martinez saved the first two spot-kicks, helping Argentina win 4-2.
This was not the first time Martinez played a crucial role in a shootout. He famously saved France’s penalty in the World Cup final against Argentina in 2022 and more recently he saved Lille’s penalty in Villa’s Europa Conference League match. Martinez expressed his determination not to be eliminated, stating, “I told the boys I wasn’t ready to go home – they weren’t either.” He added, “We are champions of the world and this team deserved to go on.”
Martinez’s heroics in goal once again proved invaluable for Argentina as they defended their Copa America title.