Argentina says thank you to its Martinez! If Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez opened the scoring in the 7th minute on Tuesday against Colombia in Brasilia, it was his namesake, Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who dispatched the Albiceleste to the final of the Copa America, with three shots on goal saved (1-1, 3-2 on tabs). She joined Brazil who had qualified the day before, thanks to their success over Peru (1-0) in the first semi-final.
The Saturday night poster (Sunday at 2 a.m., French time), in the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro, will be embodied by the star-studded duel between Messi and Neymar, former teammates at FC Barcelona, who have never won a major title with their national selection (even if Neymar was Olympic champion in 2016).
The end of the famine for Messi and Argentina?
For the six-time Argentinian golden ball, it will be an opportunity to break the curse after four lost finals (World Cup 2014, Copa America 2007, 2015 and 2016) and to put an end to an endless scarcity of his country, which does not win no trophy since the 1993 Copa America.
With a bloody ankle after a tackle from Fabra in the semifinals, the number 10 did not equal the record of 77 goals of Pelé, the South American top scorer in the selection, but delivered his fifth assist in six games in the tournament and did not tremble during the penalty shootout. The Colombians equalized after a ride from Luis Diaz in the 61st minute.
Emiliano Martinez national hero tonight. ❌❌❌
3 saves on 4 shots on goal during the session.
What a keeper! 🧤 pic.twitter.com/JOGIyR7RsS
– Instant Foot ⚽️ (@lnstantFoot) July 7, 2021
Entered during the game, the Parisian Angel Di Maria put Argentina back in the right direction. The Parisian winger delivered two caviars at the end of the match, but saw Lautaro Martinez miss the inevitable by shooting aside (73rd) and Messi shooting at the post (80th). It was therefore Emiliano Martinez who qualified the Argentines, stopping the shots on goal from Sanchez, Mina and Cardona. Roll on this weekend!