World Cup 2022: Dybala Reveals Penalty Advice by Martinez vs France

• Paulo Dybala has revealed that Emi Martinez offered advice to help him score his penalty
• The AS Roma forward took Argentina's second penalty in the World Cup final vs France
• Martinez made him change his mind at the last minute on where to aim his penalty kick

Paulo Dybala has revealed the crucial advice he got from goalkeeper Emi Martinez, moments before he took his spot kick in the 2022 World Cup final.

Dybala was one of the penalty takers for Argentina, after a Kylian Mbappe hat-trick had forced the game to penalties on December 18.

The AS Roma forward played a peripheral role in Argentina's World Cup triumph, making only two appearances across the seven games.

However, Dybala was called upon by Head Coach Lionel Scaloni as the game reached its thrilling finish, due to his record from the spot.

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He was tasked with taking the second penalty after Lionel Messi. Messi and Mbappe had already cancelled out each other with their penalties, but Kingsley Coman's miss meant that Dybala could put La Albiceleste ahead.

Dybala's initial plan

As he walked towards the spot, the 29-year-old had made up his mind to shoot to the left side of Hugo Lloris's goal. However, Martinez advised him to go down the middle because Lloris was bound to move.

Dybala made no mistake by following Martinez's advice. Lloris dove to the same side he had initially planned to place his spot kick.

"I had spoken with Dibu. He had advised me to shoot down the middle after they had missed. They always dive. I was going to go for the side but the goalkeeper dove to that side, but I heard what my colleague said. I changed at the last minute," he said as quoted by Goal.

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Aurelien Tchouameni's miss, and Leandro Paredes and Gonzalo Montiel's subsequent conversions, helped the South Americans to their first World Cup title since 1986.

Martinez explains offensive celebration

Sports Brief had earlier reported that Argentina goalkeeper Martinez has come out to explain the meaning of the celebration he displayed, after he was declared the best goalkeeper of the 2022 World Cup.

Martinez pulled off a string of heroic saves throughout the tournament, to beat the likes of Hugo Lloris and Dominic Livakovic to the award. But as soon as he received his award on December 18 he hit a celebration that has been slammed as offensive.

The Aston Villa goalkeeper put his award near his crotch area as he looked at a section of fans believed to be French supporters. He has now defended himself, saying it was payback of sorts to his opposition.