Emi Martínez Virgil Van-Dijk Louis Van-Gaal Steven Bergwijn Netherlands Spain Argentina soccer Sport Martinez Emi Martínez Virgil Van-Dijk Louis Van-Gaal Steven Bergwijn Netherlands Spain Argentina

Furious Argentina keeper Emi Martinez hits out at 'useless' referee

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Argentina goalkeeper Emi Martinez launched a furious tirade at the referee after his side's penalty shootout triumph over Netherlands in a spiteful World Cup quarter-final, and suggested that opposition manager Louis Van Gaal should "keep his mouth shut."Leading 2-0 heading into the closing stages, Argentina were made to endure extra-time and penalties after two goals from Dutch substitute Wout Weghorst - the second coming ten minutes into injury-time after an ingeniously worked free-kick - brought the contest the full distance.Martinez emerged as the decisive figure in the shootout, making two superb saves on the opening two Dutch penalties, parrying the attempts of Virgil Van Dijk and Steven Bergwijn.Though Enzo Fernandez spurned a chance to end the shootout on Argentina's fourth effort, drilling it wide, Lautaro Martinez kept his cool on the fifth spot kick to send the the two-time winners to the semi-finals.Otherwise, it was an enormously spiteful affair, marred by several fracas and melees, in which Spanish referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz dished eighteen yellow cards and one red card.

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Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has said he will speak to goalkeeper Emi Martinez about his celebrations following Argentina's World Cup triumph. Martinez saved a penalty from Kingsley Coman in the shoot-out showdown with France in the final, and pulled off a last-gasp save to keep out Randal Kolo Muani in extra time, but the 30-year-old has come into the spotlight following some of his celebrations. Martinez has not yet returned to training since the World Cup as he enjoys a period of rest, but despite being proud of his achievements, Emery admits he will have a word with him when he gets back. Emery told a press conference: "When you have big emotion, sometimes it is difficult to control it. "I will speak to him next week about some celebrations but I respect that he is now under the national team and when he will be with us, he is our responsibility then we can speak about it. "We are so proud of him. He won the World Cup with his national team and it's amazing. "He's coming back next week. I want him to rest now because after big emotion and hard work, he has to have some days off to rest then he'll come back to work with us."

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