"Luckily, I listened to him" - Paulo Dybala reveals helping hand from Argentina teammate before converting penalty in final shootout
Argentina attacker Paulo Dybala has revealed how goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez played a key role in his successful penalty in the shootout of the FIFA World Cup final against France on Sunday (December 18).
Dybala came on in added time in the second half of extra time with the scores tied at 3-3. In the ensuing shootout, he converted his effort slotting down the middle of France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris' net.
The AS Roma forward talked about his spot kick and the advice Martinez gave him before he took it (via Zach Lowy):
“When I came on for the final, I knew I was coming on for the penalties. I had planned to go to the side, but (Emiliano Martinez) told me that after they missed, I should kick in the middle because the goalkeeper always dived. Luckily, I listened to him.”
Dybala at Cordoba airport: “I am very happy, tired but I'm going to Laguna Larga to say hello to people.
“We’re very grateful. Unfortunately, we were not able to greet everyone.
“It was the most beautiful final ever.”
“Dibu told me to shoot in middle.”
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Dybala scored after Martinez had denied Kingsley Coman to put La Albiceleste in pole position to lift the World Cup for the third time.
French midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni missed the next penalty before Leandro Paredes converted for Argentina. France's Randal Kolo Muandi scored his, but Gonzalo Montiel sealed Lionel Scaloni's side's World Cup triumph.
Dybala was handed just 17 minutes of action throughout the campaign but played a key role in securing Lionel Messi and Co World Cup glory.
Argentina's Emiliano Martinez crossed the line with his penalty shootout antics, says Arsenal legend Ian Wright
Martinez was the hero for Argentina during the penalty shootout win over France, denying Coman with a fine stop.
However, his performance drew criticism for a perceived lack of professionalism, particularly when trying to put off Tchouameni. Wright expected the former Gunners goalkeeper to try his tricks but felt the Argentine crossed the line.
On his Ringer FC podcast, Wright said:
“I was thinking this guy is going to go to another level of sh*thousery if this final goes to penalties. And he did. I like Emi, but what he did in the penalty shootout crossed the line, in respect of sportsmanship. He crossed the line.”
Emiliano Martínez's career:
2012: Joins Arsenal
2012: Loan to Oxford United
2013: Loan to Sheffield Wednesday
2015: Loan to Rotherham United
2015: Loan to Wolves
2017: Loan to Getafe
2019: Loan to Reading
2020: Joins Aston Villa
2021: Wins Copa América
2022: Wins World Cup
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Martinez has also been slammed by many for the way he celebrated winning the Golden Glove by thrusting the award from his groin towards fans at the Lusail Stadium.
He has also drawn the ire of French fans by holding a toy baby with Kylian Mbappe's face printed on it.
The goalkeeper did so during La Albiceleste's open-top bus parade in Buenos Aires on Monday, 20 December.
That was despite Mbappe putting a hat trick past him in the final, putting three penalties past him, including one in the shootout.