Emiliano Martínez was back in action as Argentina took on Netherlands in the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals. Here’s how Villa’s No.1 got on at the Lusail Iconic Stadium…
Starting his fifth straight fixture in Qatar, Emi Martínez looked to keep his third clean sheet in the competition and help his nation into the World Cup semi-finals. With South-American rivals Brazil eliminated in the earlier fixture, a more favorable path to the final opened up if Argentina could get past Netherlands.
Louis van Gaal’s Oranje are one of only four teams yet to lose a game on the big stage, alongside England, Croatia and Morocco, and have conceded just two goals all campaign. Lionel Scaloni matched his managerial counterpart in terms of formation, deploying what appeared to be a 3-5-2 shape.
Consequently, both teams seemed to cancel each other out all over the pitch. The first shot on target of the game came in the 33rd minute after what was an evenly-matched, cagey opening half an hour. Rodrigo De Paul’s tame effort was comfortably dealt with by Dutch shot-stopper Andries Noppert however.
The highlight of the first half arrived minutes later after Lionel Messi’s mesmerising pass found it’s way into full-back Nahuel Molina’s path. The Atletico Madrid defender sent the blue and white bodies in the crowd into raptures after tucking the ball away for 1-0.
Emi Martínez didn’t have much to do in the opening 45 minutes as Holland’s front-line failed to register an effort on goal. With that being said, the 30 year-old ‘keeper dealt with a series of threatening set-pieces and tidied up well overall at the back. His side led by a goal to nil at the break.
The opening 15 minutes of the second-half started similarly to the first, with neither side able to get a significant hold on the game. Messi had an opportunity from a free-kick just past the hour mark, but the Paris Saint-Germain maestro could only find the roof of the net with his strike.
The Argentine captain was provided with an opportunity to double his side’s lead in the 72nd minute when Marcos Acuña was fouled inside the box. The former Barcelona forward confidently converted from 12 yards, scoring his fourth of the tournament. 2-0 Argentina.
Wout Weghorst brought Netherlands back into the game with seven minutes to spare after expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner, beyond Martínez’s reach. Momentum was with van Gaal’s side now and soon after Steven Berghuis saw an effort strike the side-netting.
A fiery finish to the game brought even more drama and it was that man Weghorst again putting it away in the 101st minute. A well-worked free-kick fell at the big man’s feet and he slotted it calmly into the corner for 2-2.
The extra-time period was edged by Argentina, with the best chance falling to Lautaro Martínez who hit the post with seconds to spare. The 2021 Copa America champions failed to capitalize on their dominance however and the game would therefore be decided on penalties.
It was who Argentina who prevailed after 10 spot kicks, with Lautaro Martínez putting away the winning strike. Emiliano Martínez saved the first two Dutch penalties and was his nation’s saviour once again from 12 yards. Vamos Dibu!
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Let’s see how Emi reacted post-match.
UP NEXT
Argentina will now play Croatia as the first FIFA World Cup semi-final fixture is confirmed. The game will be shown live on both BBC and ITV and will take place at the Lusail Iconic Stadium on Tuesday 13th December with kick-off at 7pm.
Can Argentina go one step further and progress to the final?
AUTHOR | LIAM DAVIES
Author’s UTV PODCAST archive liamayrtondavies – UTV Podcast | An Aston Villa Blog
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