Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez acknowledged his home fans’ passion following his country’s 2022 FIFA World Cup quarterfinal victory over the Netherlands on December 9.
In the 35th minute, La Albiceleste took the lead through Nahuel Molina, who was set up by a sublime Lionel Messi pass. The playmaker for Paris Saint-Germain scored from 12 yards out with 17 minutes remaining to give his team a two-goal lead.
Lionel Scaloni’s men nearly lost the game after two late goals by substitute Wout Weghorst forced extra time and, eventually, a penalty shootout. Aston Villa custodian Martinez saved Virgil van Dijk’s penalty to give the Oranje the worst possible start.
Messi scored from the penalty spot after Villa’s player saved Steven Berghuis’ penalty kick. Enzo Fernandez’s miss complicated matters, but Lautaro Martinez converted his kick to give Argentina a 4-3 victory in the shootouts.
The psychological advantage that Martinez handed to his teammates after saving two consecutive penalty kicks was critical to their victory.
“The first thing that comes to mind is emotion. I do this for 45 million people. Giving people joy like this is the greatest thing at the moment. We are in the semi-final because we have passion and heart. We are excited, just like the people,”
he said after the final whistle (via @Argentina on Twitter).
Martinez is no stranger to performing miracles for his team when the match is decided by penalty kicks. Another clear example of this was Albiceleste’s 3-2 penalty shootout victory over Colombia in the 2021 Copa America semifinal last year.
Argentina will now face Croatia in the 2022 FIFA World Cup semifinals on December 13 after the 2018 runners-up defeated Brazil in the quarterfinals. On December 14, Marocco will face reigning champions France.
