Copa America: “I wasn’t ready for Argentina’s elimination” – Martínez

Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez said he was “not ready to go home” after saving his country in a penalty shootout against Ecuador in the Copa América quarter-final on Thursday.

Despite Lionel Messi’s missed penalty for Argentina, the World Cup winners came out on top thanks to two saves from Martínez in the penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw.

“I dive 500 times a day in every training session to perform,” said an emotional Martínez. “I work for this, I always try to be at my best to give everything for this national team.”

“I’m proud, happy with all this. I told the guys that I wasn’t ready to go home. Even though we are world champions and winners of the Copa América, this group deserved to continue.

“We’ve been here for 35 days, we’re fighting for this. I’m happy that we’ve improved. They played a great game, very physical. We knew they would be one of the toughest rivals in the Copa America.”

Martínez, 31, celebrated with the same hip-thrusting dance he displayed after his impressive performance in the 2022 World Cup final against France.

Aston Villa goalkeeper key to Albiceleste lifting the trophy in Qatar, with two saves in the decisive penalty shootout after a 3-3 draw after extra time.

Argentina captain Messi said he knew Martínez would rise to the occasion again.

“I knew that Dibu (Martínez) is always in these moments, he likes these moments, he becomes great,” Messi said.

“In addition, he is very good in goal. It is complicated (for the opponents), he is very fast, he had a lot of confidence, even before the match, he told us that if there were penalties, we had to be calm. Fortunately, when we get to this stage (on penalties), we have an advantage.”

Messi, 37, who broke the record for most minutes played in tournament history against Ecuador, could not hide his disappointment after his missed spot-kick hit the crossbar in Argentina’s first penalty of the shootout.

The Inter Miami forward started the quarter-final despite being an injury doubt after missing their final group game against Peru with a hamstring problem.

“There is a lot of anger,” Messi said. “I was convinced to shoot like that. I had spoken with Dibu and with (Argentina substitute goalkeeper Geronimo) Rulli, I had taken some penalties aiming for corners but I had not practiced (the panenka). In fact, the (Ecuadorian) goalkeeper (Alexander Domínguez) had dived and I tried to touch the ball but it went too high.”

Argentina will face the winner of Friday’s quarter-final between Venezuela and Canada in the semi-finals on Tuesday.