Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez had a stellar performance between the posts as he led his side to a tight victory over Ecuador at the Copa America.
He saved two penalty kicks on the night in a shootout to be the hero for his country once again.
In normal time, a penalty kick from Enner Valencia hit the post after Martinez managed some Argentine mind games in a similar fashion to the shootout against France at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
But it was in that shootout where ‘Dibu’ Martinez truly shone the brightest.
After Lionel Messi missed his first penalty kick, Martinez ensured that Ecuador would not get one up on Argentina – diving to the keeper’s left and getting a glove on it to keep the ball out of the net.
He repeated his feat at the next time of asking, this time diving to his right and getting his left glove on Ecuador’s second kick.
Martinez celebrated by doing the same hip-thrusting dance that he pulled out at the World Cup Final.
From there, all Argentina needed to do was convert all of their kicks from the spot.
Alexis Mac Allister, Gonzalo Montiel, and final kick taker Nicolas Otamendi did just that and secured Argentina’s advancement to the semifinals of the Copa America.
There, they will face the winner of Friday afternoon’s game between Venezuela and Canada.
Argentina already faced Canada earlier this tournament – beating the Maple Leafs 2-0 in the opening match in Atlanta.