Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez - Argentina's Patronus

Messi's double, Angel Di Maria's excellent performance in the first 60 minutes of the final at Lusail yesterday would be meaningless without the excellent Martinez in the wooden frame.

He blocked Randal Kolo Muani's late second-time finish just before the game went to the penalty shootout. There, the Aston Villa goalkeeper successfully blocked Kingsley Coman's kick in the second series, before Tchouameni missed in the next set, giving Argentina the advantage to close the match.

But talking about the excellence of this goalkeeper has to go back to the quarter-final against the Netherlands. Also in the penalty shootout, Martinez blocked two kicks of the "Orange Whirlwind". 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 round.

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 did not let go of his prey. "I know which direction you're going to shoot. I'll stop. I'll hit you, brother, I'll hit you," Martinez repeated as Mina gained 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 made 38 official matches for Arsenal in eight years, and only played mostly in friendlies and tours. 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, he joined Aston Villa. A year later, Martinez was introduced to the team. He immediately won the Copa America 2021, snatching the Golden Glove in that tournament after pushing two penalties in the semi-final elimination against Colombia and a white net against Brazil in the final. A year later, Martinez won the World Cup again, won the Golden Glove again, and was mentioned for his ability to catch penalties.

When Mbappe criticized the quality of South American football not being equal to Europe, Martinez said the 23-year-old 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, when the Dutch coach confidently said before the quarter-finals that "if it has to be a penalty shootout, my Netherlands has an advantage". After proving the opposite, Martinez repeatedly pointed at Van Gaal and scolded the 71-year-old coach right on the field. It was not an act that was legal in the eyes of the masses, but gave great impetus to many of his teammates in Argentina, increasing the fighting adrenaline in them, including Lionel Messi and even coach Lionel Scaloni.

The young coach revealed that Martinez told the entire team in the dressing room before the final is considered the best in World Cup history: "I will save a few penalties", which Martinez did 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 this World Cup, 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.