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For Lille fans, Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez is a lingering nightmare.
On the stage of the second leg of the 1/4 finals of the UEFA Cup, he was like a heroic knight, wearing a golden armor, wielding the glory of goalkeeper, and helping Villa to eliminate Lille in the away penalty shootout with a near-perfect performance and advance to the semi-finals.
The Argentine international, like a calm hunter in the penalty shoot-out, twice accurately predicted and denied his opponent's shots, turning the tide for his team and tilting the balance of victory in his side.
This is the fifth time in a row that he has had the last laugh in a penalty shoot-out, and he has performed like an impeccable warrior, in the 2022 World Cup final, quarter-finals, 2021 Copa America semi-finals and 2020 Community Shield final, he has guarded the team's honour in the same way, with the wisdom and courage of a goalkeeper.
Amid the boos of the French fans, Martinez was like a mental master, enjoying the process of playing mental games with his opponents, and with his steady pace and confident eyes, he told everyone: This is my territory, and I will be an insurmountable barrier for you.
For Aston Villa and the Argentine national team, he is their patron saint and their hero. Every save he made was like a hymn to the team's victory.
For Lille fans, he is their eternal nightmare, and every time he appears, they feel like they see the lingering shadow fall again.
Now, let's take a look back at a couple of "bottomless" moments for the heroic goalkeeper.
1. "He's definitely a madman"
Lille, the city that has bred one of Europe's most shocking and extreme fan bases, is so passionate that it can make any player scare the hell. However, it is this force that seems to have given Martinez unparalleled courage.
Martinez danced in front of the fanatical crowd many times, and when their anger came flooding in, Martinez just gently raised his index finger and put it to his lips, as if to tell them: "Shhhhh ”
Some extreme fans tried with all their might to break through the fence and storm onto the pitch to express their displeasure to the provocateur. Thankfully, riot police and staff were forced to step forward and erect a human wall to try and stop the possible chaos, while Martinez's teammates did their best to free him from his fanatical crowd and bring him back to the locker room.
2. Throw the ball in the World Cup final
In the 2022 World Cup final, the penalty shootout became the key to deciding the outcome of the game. Argentina goalkeeper Martinez made a clever save to save Kingsley Koman's penalty threat and give his side a valuable lead. Then, France midfielder Tchouameni stepped up to the plate and was tasked with equalising for his team.
The Real Madrid midfielder was already nervous on his way to the penalty spot. He probably rehearsed the angle and power of his shot over and over again in his head, trying to find the best moment to break through Martinez's defence. However, at this crucial moment, Martinez showed his superior wisdom as a top goalkeeper.
He picked up the ball and didn't rush to throw it, but waited quietly for Tchouameni to get closer. Just as Tchouameni was about to get ready, Martinez suddenly threw the ball to the right, a sudden change that caught Tchouameni off guard and had to turn to pick it up.
At this moment, Martinez seemed to be a magician on the football field, disrupting the opponent's rhythm with a precise psychological tactic.
Tchouameni then looked a little flustered as he re-prepared his shot and eventually deflected the ball wide.
3. Crazy actions during the world
Witnessed by the members of the Qatari royal family, and watched with bated breath from billions of viewers around the world, Martinez proudly lifted the Golden Glove Award, and at that moment, he received personal recognition.
However, the blood was churning in his heart, and a playful force drove him to gently rest the revered trophy between his groins, as if it contained his "special friend".
This scene, like a bright meteor in the football world, instantly pierced the quiet night sky and attracted people's attention.
The clowns (including us) saw the antics and humor of the scene in the laughter, while others couldn't wait to accuse him of damaging his face.
Regardless of the stance, however, the moment has become one of the most iconic images in World Cup history.
4. Mbappe baby doll mask
Mbappe, a young and talented football talent, single-handedly wrote history on the stage of the World Cup final. He became only the second player in football history to score three goals in the final, bringing France back from the brink with two regular-time goals and extra-time penalties to rekindle the flames of hope.
However, such a performance did not win the respect of his opponent Martinez. Instead, he held aloft an absurd toy — a baby doll wearing a Mbappé mask — in the midst of a carnival celebration in Buenos Aires.
Martinez proudly displays the doll in front of Messi, while Messi looks embarrassed, his expression as if asking, "Should I laugh? or should I tell him to be more restrained?"
5. Interfere with B fee and Ronaldo penalty kick
Remember the penalty incident between Cristiano Ronaldo and B Fee?
At that time, United were awarded a penalty in stoppage time. However, the dominance of the ball has sparked controversy. Martinez, the brave goalkeeper, jumped out of the net and stretched out his hand to Fernandez with a firm voice: "Let Cristiano Ronaldo take the penalty." ”
Such scenes are really rare, I don't know why Martinez is so excited, whether he watched Sun Tzu's Art of War, or on a whim, or if he had any grudges with Ronaldo before.
His unreasonable actions put a lot of pressure on Fernandez. This ultimately led to Fernandez missing a penalty.
6. "I'll Eat You"
When Everton and Barcelona defender Yerry Mina stepped to the penalty spot to take the penalty in the Copa America semi-final shoot-out between Argentina and Colombia, Martinez immediately began a psychological battle.
At that time, when Mina walked to the penalty spot, he looked the goalkeeper in the eye and started talking to him. Martinez can be heard saying, "You're laughing, but you're actually nervous." I already know you, fool. Be careful, I'll eat you alive. ”
To be fair, Mina might have thought Martinez would have eaten him for real, given the goalkeeper's madness.
Unfortunately, that fear didn't stop Mina from missing from the penalty spot. Argentina ended up winning the penalty shootout and the Copa America.