Emiliano Martinez saves Argentina again

Argentina desperately needed Martinez to breathe life back into his team after Lionel Messi inexplicably missed the first penalty of the shootout.

The Aston Villa shot-stopper went on to save the next two Ecuadorian penalties, carrying Argentina to a 4-2 shootout victory.

Martinez is notorious for clutching up in penalty shootouts, saving three penalties in the 2021 Copa America semifinal and two in the 2022 FIFA World Cup final. Argentina went on to win both.

He recently revealed on "Fozcast - The Ben Foster Podcast" that his success in penalty shootouts comes down to his mental preparation, eliciting the support of a sports psychologist to help become his best self when the lights shine brightest.

Martinez's presence, as much as his ability, renders Argentina arguably the toughest opponent in the world. He enjoys and thrives off the high-pressure atmosphere of major tournaments.

Behind the dances and winding up his opponents, Martinez remains a stand-up member of the goalkeeper's union.