Emiliano Martinez - Patronus of Argentina
Messi's brace and Angel Di Maria's excellent performance in the opening 60 minutes of the final at Lusail would be meaningless without Martinez in the frame. He blocked Randal Kolo Muani's finish late in second extra time before the game went to the penalty shootout. Then, the Aston Villa goalkeeper successfully blocked Kingsley Coman's kick in the second series, before Tchouameni missed in the next set, giving Gonzalo Montiel a big advantage to close the game for Argentina.
But talking about the excellence of "Dibu" must return to the quarter-final against the Netherlands. Also in the penalty shootout, Martinez blocked two kicks of "Orange Tornado". Center-back Virgil Van Dijk missed the header, before Steven Berghuis could not beat Martinez in the second. Once again, thanks to the former Arsenal goalkeeper, Argentina had too many chances to finish the game. Even if Enzo Fernandez couldn't secure a win in the fourth series, Lautaro Martinez still had a chance to do so in the fifth series.
That's why Messi - after overtaking the Netherlands - described Martinez as "one of the best goalkeepers in the world". The Argentina captain said: "We know when games are drawn to penalties, Emiliano will do everything in our favor."
On The Athletic, journalist Matt Pyzdrowski also recalled the psychological trick that Martinez used against Colombia in the Copa America semi-final series 2021. The television microphone recorded all the sentences Martinez said to the opponent.
"You're smiling but I know you're nervous," Martinez told midfielder Mina. Mina could only stand there before Martinez continued: "I caught your eye. I know the direction of the shot." The referee blows the whistle. Martinez still didn't give up. "I know which direction you're going to shoot. I'll stop it. I'll hit you, brother, I'll hit you," Martinez repeated, while Mina picked up momentum. Then, he flew to the left of the goal, leaving Mina's bewildered gaze as everything went exactly as Martinez said.
Signed for Arsenal in 2012, but Martinez spent seven years on loan to the lower divisions. He only caught 38 official matches for the London team in eight years, and only played most of the friendly matches, the tour. In 2013, Martinez participated in a friendly match against Vietnam at My Dinh Stadium. Those things have not stopped the 30-year-old goalkeeper from advancing strongly in the past two years.
In 2020, Martinez joined Aston Villa to find the opportunity to play more often. A year later, he was introduced to the team. "Dibu" immediately won the Copa America 2021, snatching the Golden Glove in that tournament after pushing two penalties in the semi-final defeat to Colombia and a white net against Brazil in the final. A year later, Martinez won the World Cup, won the Golden Glove again, and was mentioned for his talent in taking penalties.
When Mbappe criticized the quality of South American football not being equal to Europe, Martinez said the 1998-born striker was "not old enough to judge". In the dressing room after the final, Martinez joined the dance of the Argentina team, repeatedly shouting: "This is for the dead, Mbappe", and also called on the whole team to observe a minute of silence in memory of the number 10 of the French national team. .
Martinez also did not hesitate to attack coach Louis van Gaal, because the Dutch coach confidently said before the quarter-finals that "if it had to be a penalty shootout, the Netherlands would have an advantage". After proving otherwise, Martinez pointed a finger at Van Gaal and taunted the 71-year-old coach on his way off the pitch. It was not an act that was right in the eyes of the masses, but brought great motivation to many of his teammates in Argentina, increasing the fighting adrenaline in them, including Lionel Messi and even coach Lionel Scaloni.
Young coach Scaloni revealed that Martinez told the whole team in the dressing room before the final is considered the best in World Cup history: "I will save a few penalties". And Martinez did it again. On the Lusail field, the tension and anxiety evident on the faces of Coman or Tchouameni showed that Martinez's reputation and aggression had somewhat affected them, causing both to miss key penalties.
Messi was named the Best Player of the World Cup 2022, but Martinez gave him a strong psychological fulcrum to shine. The 30-year-old goalkeeper may not represent the righteous side, but the dark side. But he is willing to do everything for Messi and Argentina. God chose Martinez, and tested him for more than eight years before bringing him to light with two brilliant years in the national team shirt.
That is also the fate and part of the fate of "GOAT Messi" in this World Cup - like the way the final was played.
