World Cup 2022: How Emi Martinez Won the Title for Messi and Argentina

• Emiliano Martinez saved Lionel Messi and Argentina's blushes with one of the greatest saves
• The Argentina goalkeeper denied France a winner from Randal Kolo Muani late in extra time
• He saved a penalty in the shootout, sealing victory for his country in the 2022 World Cup final

Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez produced a wonder save to deny Kolo Muani a last-gasp winner for France, in the final of the 2022 World Cup.

France were set to potentially seal the win late in the game, but the Aston Villa goalkeeper intervened to force a penalty shootout.

Les Bleus started the game in the worst possible way, conceding two goals and looking like they were dead and buried, but Kylian Mbappe's heroics helped produce one of the greatest football matches ever.

The 23-year-old converted an 80th-minute penalty, before scoring a sensational equaliser seconds later in the 81st minute.

Argentina players mock Netherlands players after winning match

Football

Lionel Messi scored in the 108th minute, before his Paris Saint-Germain teammate fired back last in the second half of extra time, per Eurosport.

This game was billed as the passing of the torch from Messi to Mbappe and didn't disappoint, as the young Frenchman became only the second man to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final.

Martinez saves Argentina

France were set to win the game late in extra time, but Martinez's astonishing stop spared the blushes of Messi and Argentina.

In the last minute, Didier Deschamps's side broke into a counter, with Randal Kolo Muani finding himself one-on-one with Martinez.

Otamendi had failed to clear the lofted pass, but the keeper spread himself to smother the shot from the French forward, a save that forced the penalty shootout, per Hindustan Times.

Messi celebrates Emi Martinez after penalty heroics against Holland

Football

He later saved Kingsley Coman's penalty in the shootout and his performances were rewarded with the Goalkeeper of the Tournament award.

Martinez's dance versus France

Sports Brief earlier reported on Martinez dancing hilariously after saving Coman's penalty in the shootout.

Despite the Argentine shop-stopper's penalty heroics, it is his dancing skills after his crucial penalty save that caught the eyes of fans on social media.

The enthralling rollercoaster grand finale between Argentina and defending world champions France has been touted as the greatest World Cup final in the history of the sport.