The Aston Villa and Argentina national team goalkeeper stands out as a specialist in penalties from the spot, and the numbers back up the claim.
Emiliano Martinez trusts Lionel Scaloni and the Argentina squad when it matters most. While he carved out a solid club career with Aston Villa in the Premier League, he has established himself as a regular starter for the national team.
After years of waiting for a steady opportunity, Dibu finally found consistent playing time in the Premier League, which opened the door for him to become a key figure for the national team, particularly after the remarkable form he showed during the opening stages of the 2021 Copa América.
One crucial factor in winning over Albiceleste fans has been his performances in penalty shootouts. His display in the semi-final against Colombia remains unforgettable for many supporters.
Thanks to two saves against the Netherlands and a clutch stop against France in the decisive shootout of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the 30-year-old goalkeeper has continued to raise his profile.
THE STORY OF DIBU MARTÍNEZ
In GOAL We present detailed numbers on Dibu Martínez’s performance in penalty situations, focusing on shots from twelve yards.
ALL THE PENALTIES OF EMILIANO MARTÍNEZ IN HIS CAREER
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Throughout his career, the keeper has appeared at several clubs, many of them in England. His penalty record is notable: he has faced 33 penalties and saved 11, yielding a save rate of roughly one in three. These are impressive, specialized numbers that stand out for a goalkeeper who often handles high-pressure moments.
In the national team, his figures are even more striking. Of the three penalties he faced in international play, he saved two—Yoshimar Yotún in the 1-0 victory over Peru during Qatar 2022 qualifiers and Arturo Vidal in the 2021 Copa América, where a rebound was converted. One penalty, taken by Yeferson Soteldo, resulted in a goal in the 3-1 win over Venezuela.
Regarding penalties converted against him, Martínez has allowed two completions in his career, with memorable moments including a shootout against Colombia in Brasilia in 2021 where he denied Davinson Sánchez, Yerry Mina, and Edwin Cardona, helping Argentina secure a path to the final stages.
Against the Netherlands, Dibu stopped shots from Virgil van Dijk and Steven Berghuis, playing a pivotal role in securing a place in the semi-finals of the World Cup in Qatar.
In the final, during extra time, two attempts remained unanswered, but he saved one in the ensuing shootout against Kingsley Coman. He was also recognized as the World Cup’s best goalkeeper for his performances throughout the tournament.
Here are the numbers, independent of the outcomes from the penalties themselves:
Source: Goal