All eyes were on Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe ahead of the Qatar 2022 final between Argentina and France. However, it was Emiliano Martinez who took all the limelight again as his saves gave La Albiceleste their first FIFA World Cup trophy in 36 years.
While Dibu conceded three goals from Kylian Mbappe—apart from the shootout kick, he made a crucial save in the final minute of the extra time. In the penalty kicks, Martinez was gigantic again by denying Kingsley Coman’s shot, before Aurelien Tchouameni‘s miss.
The outfield players of Argentina made their job and scored, sparking jubilant scenes at theLusail Stadium. An emotional Martinez celebrated the win in tears, knowing he fulfilled a lifelong dream.
Emiliano Martinez shines for Argentina again in shootout World Cup triumph
This is without any doubt the moment Martinez had been waiting and fighting for. When he saved three penalties in a shootout win over Colombia in the 2021 Copa America semifinals, he was already dreaming to dosomething bigger in the future.
Even when he shone against the Netherlands, saving two penalties to win the quarterfinal series, Martinez was preparing for the next big moment. It couldn’t have come at a better time, as it sent Argentina back to the promised land.
Martin O'Donnell is a bilingual sports writer fluent in English and Spanish, currently serving as the Managing Editor of Bolavip. He began his journey with the website in February 2021, making a name for himself through comprehensive coverage of multiple sports, including NFL and soccer, with a specialty in original content and real-time reporting of major events such as the World Cup, UEFA Champions League finals, and the Super Bowl. In June 2024, Martin took on the role of Subeditor, where he excelled in overseeing the publication of stories, assisting staff writers, and ensuring content quality. His prior experience includes managing social media for CONMEBOL Libertadores and Sudamericana in English and Spanish, as well as reporting on Brazilian football for Sambafoot. Known for his meticulous attention to detail and ability to capture breaking news, Martin has consistently been a valuable asset to the Bolavip team, especially during crucial sports seasons involving trades, playoffs, and finals. Now, as the Managing Editor since May 2025, Martin brings his extensive experience and keen editorial sense to lead Bolavip’s team, driving the website's growth and ensuring it remains a top source for sports news and analysis with interviews and exclusive content.
