Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano “Dibu” Martinez said he was “not ready to go home” after saving his country in a penalty shootout against Ecuador in the Copa America quarter-finals on Thursday.
Despite Lionel Messi's missed penalty, the world champions prevailed over Argentina thanks to two saves from Martínez in the shoot-out after a 1-1 draw.
“I throw myself 500 times a day in every training session to be able to perform,” said an emotional Martinez. “I work for this, I try to always be at my best level to give everything for this team.”
“I'm proud, happy about all this. I told the boys I wasn't ready to go home. Even though we are world champions and Copa America champions, this group deserved to continue.
“We've been here fighting for this for 35 days. I'm happy that we've made progress. They played a great game, very physical. We knew they were going to be one of the toughest rivals in the Copa America.”
Martinez, 31, celebrated with the same hip-shaking move she displayed after her impressive performance during the 2022 World Cup final against France.
The Aston Villa goalkeeper was key to the Albiceleste lifting the trophy in Qatar, with two saves in the decisive shoot-out after a 3-3 draw after extra time.
Argentine captain Messi said he knew Martinez would deliver again.
“I knew that Dibu [Martínez] “He is always in these moments, he likes these moments, he becomes great,” Messi said.
“He's also great when he's in goal. It's difficult.” [for opponents]He is very fast, he had a lot of faith, even before the game he told us that in the event of penalties we had to be calm. It is fortunate that when we got to this point [a penalty shootout] “We have an advantage.”
The 37-year-old Messi, who broke the record for most minutes played in tournament history against Ecuador, could not hide his disappointment after his missed Panenka shot hit the crossbar in Argentina's first penalty of the shootout.
The Inter Miami forward started in the quarter-finals despite being an injury doubt after missing the final group game against Peru with a hamstring problem.
“[There’s] “A lot of anger,” Messi said. “I was convinced to kick it like that. I had spoken with Dibu and with [Argentina’s backup goalkeeper Geronimo] Rulli had taken a couple of penalties aiming for corners but had not practiced. [the panenka]. In fact, the [Ecuador] The goalkeeper (Alexander Domínguez) had dived and I tried to touch it but it went too high.”
Argentina will face the winner of Friday's quarterfinal between Venezuela and Canada in the semifinals on Tuesday.
