If you don’t suffer, it’s not worth it. That cliché that usually accompanies so many moments of the Argentine national team (and of life itself) took hold this Saturday at the Ahmad Bin Ali stadium, when with a score of 2-1, the goalkeeper Emiliano ‘Dibu’ Martinez appeared in its splendor with a miraculous save in a face to face inside the small area, in the last play of the match.
The man from Mar del Plata, who changed his look for this second phase of the competition based on a bet with Germán Pezzella, threw himself forward with his whole body to reduce the youngster’s shot garang kuolwho had left the ball alone after a couple of crosses in the area and turned away Nicholas Tagliafico.
The 30-year-old goalkeeper has just conceded eight goals in his 23 appearances for the Argentina national team. In this World Cup, in fact, they have scored very few shots: two (which were goals) against Saudi Arabia; one (free kick) against Mexico; zero in the win against Poland; and only one, that last, this Saturday against Australia.
“Out of nowhere they scored a goal for us, it was something we didn’t expect, it was a bucket of cold water. We had four or five chances to convert. The big shot came, Licha put it in the bank, but I knew that I had to help them, I tried to do the best I could”confided the Aston Villa player from England.
“Today we took a small step forward as a team. I love the Argentine people, every time I take the field I think of dedicating that save to all of them”he has declared.
And on the path that remains for the Argentine national team in search of the third title in its history: “The Netherlands are a great rival, they are a team with much more technical qualities. Now there are four of us, we will go to seven, we must always dream big”.
Source: Clarin
Jason Root is the go-to source for sports coverage at News Rebeat. With a passion for athletics and an in-depth knowledge of the latest sports trends, Jason provides comprehensive and engaging analysis of the world of sports.