Argentina Goalkeeper Emi Martinez Brilliantly Breaks Down Psychology That Helps Him Save Penalties

• Emiliano Martinez helped Argentina win the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar
• He made a last-minute save against Randal Kolo Muani with seconds to go
• Most importantly, he saved penalties during the shootouts during the event

Argentina's World Cup-winning goalkeeper, Emiliano Martinez has mastered the art of mind games and was an expert at saving penalties to help his country triumph in Qatar.

The Aston Villa goalkeeper debuted for Argentina at the 2021 Copa America and has won more trophies (3) than games lost (1) for La Albiceleste.

His penalty shootout heroics have helped the country progress and triumph in two tournaments - against Colombia in the Copa America, and against Netherlands and France in the World Cup.

He is not only a master at saving them, but Dibu also advises his teammates how to play theirs against opposing goalkeepers.

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Martinez reveals penalty tricks

The 30-year-old's mind games and distracting antics, deployed at the two international tournaments, forced football lawmakers, IFAB to implement a rule change that prevents goalkeepers from behaving in such a manner, as reported by Give Me Sport.

Dibu reacted to the news of the rule change by claiming he had saved the penalties he needed to save and added he could not care about the fan-dubbed 'anti-Martinez rule'.

Beyond the strategy, Martinez studies psychology to help him and his teammates successfully navigate a penalty shootout and pointed out an incident where this was utilised in Qatar.

"I say to them if I save the first penalty, the next one has to go through the middle. You know why? That is from my psychology training for years," he said on Behind the Game Podcast.

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"When I save the first penalty, the pressure is on the other goalie, so he is going to dive. We don't want to look stupid in a World Cup final standing down the middle."

Dybala reveals Martinez's advice

Sports Brief reported on Paulo Dybala following Martinez's advice for his spot kick in the World Cup final against French goalkeeper, Hugo Lloris.

The AS Roma attacker claimed he planned to shoot to the left but Dibu told him to aim for the middle as the Tottenham keeper would dive.

Dybala did just that and scored with the most delicate of touches, with the French captain diving in the same direction he had considered.