Two years after helping Lionel Messi and Argentina win the World Cup against France, Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez broke the hearts of French soccer fans yet again.
In Thursday’s UEFA Europa Conference League quarterfinal match between Villa and Ligue 1 side Lille, Martinez made two crucial saves in a 4–3 penalty shootout win that was as tense as it was entertaining.
Martinez, who was booked for time-wasting in regulation and then booked again during the shootout for poor gamesmanship, couldn’t help trolling home fans at Stade Pierre-Mauroy after sending his team through to the semifinals.
In the knockout tie, Martinez saved Lille midfielder Benjamin Andre’s kick to clinch the victory for Aston Villa. Immediately following his game-winning block, Martinez started dancing on the pitch in front of the opposing French fans.
EMI MARTINEZ SILENCES THE FRENCH IN A PENALTY SHOOUTOUT YET AGAIN 🧤💪
ASTON VILLA ADVANCE TO THE #UECL SEMIFINALS 👏 pic.twitter.com/kehC1hyykj
The Argentinian penalty hero became France’s most hated villain once more, as Thursday’s win marks his fifth straight penalty shootout win for club and country.
Most soccer fans were delighted to see Martinez back to his unserious, fun-loving ways.
Emi Martínez in a penalty shootout vs. a French team 🧱 pic.twitter.com/WGanqJSb3m
Love him or hate him Emi Martinez owns France 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/OwC5O8Li65
Emi Martinez leaving the Lille stadium
pic.twitter.com/OLFcbLTEiJ
#avfc Emi Martinez is a legend. pic.twitter.com/6pijhyMymE
Emi Martinez did it again 😭 pic.twitter.com/NZlJ2mtZ9L
EMI Martinez making french people cry again 😆 😂 😆
I love it
pic.twitter.com/ga8FyxM997
Emi Martinez whenever it comes to knockout football pic.twitter.com/kdMQCvGG8S
Emi Martinez
The most hated man in France
The most loved in Aston pic.twitter.com/NaOtz5AWYa
Emi Martinez is the only Goalkeeper in the world who could get 2 yellow cards in 1 game and save 2 penalties in a penalty shootout.
1 of a kind
