Martinez’s saves against Angel Mena and Alan Minda after the game finished in a 1-1 draw placed Ecuador on the defensive and allowed the reigning champions Argentina to advance to the semifinals.
When Ecuador’s captain Enner Valencia missed a penalty kick earlier in the quarterfinal, Martinez fired up the fans. According to the 31-year-old, he told his teammates before the shootout that losing was not an option.
I refused to go home, I told the boys. After winning Player of the Match, Martinez continued, “They weren’t either.”
“This team deserved to continue; we are the world and South American champions.
“I got a bit carried away by the crowd, because we had the Argentines here and also my family nearby.”Even if we didn’t play the game that fans were hoping to see, we still prevailed.”
Martinez was quite entitled to feel secure during the shootout.
With Argentina, the goalie has now prevailed in all four of his contests, including the 2022 World Cup final in which they defeated France.
“I work for that, I throw myself 500 times a day in training,” Martinez stated.
“I try to be at my best level for the national team because the country deserves it, the people who spend their money to come and watch us.”
In a shootout, Rodrigo De Paul claimed his teammate earned the recognition for yet another outstanding performance.
“The fact is that he deserves it; what he’s doing is insane.” “He adores donning these hues,” stated De Paul.
He provides us with a great deal of comfort and security. He is always there for us during these crucial times, even if we try to do the same for him.”
In the semi-finals, Argentina will play either Venezuela or Canada in an attempt to win a record 16 Copa titles.
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