Aston wins on penalties
Martinez provokes, sees yellow twice and becomes a hero
April 18, 2024, 11:01 p.m
Aston Villa reach the semi-finals of the Conference League. The way there is extremely difficult. OSC Lille is only defeated in a penalty shootout. The hero of the evening is goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, who also causes a curiosity. But everything is according to the rules.
Argentina’s World Cup hero Emiliano Martinez led Aston Villa to the semi-finals of the Conference League. The world champion goalkeeper saved the penalties of former Schalke player Nabil Bentaleb and Benjamin Andre in the 4-3 penalty shootout at French first division club OSC Lille and thus played a large part in the success.
Curious: Martinez saw his second yellow card of the evening in the penalty shootout. The polarizing goalkeeper had apparently argued with the audience at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy and provoked them with gestures. However, according to the rules, the warning from the current game was not taken into the penalty shootout.
The keeper had already caused a stir with an obscene scene during the 2022 World Cup triumph. After being named the tournament’s best goalkeeper, he used the trophy for an obnoxious celebration after it was handed over, provocatively holding the Golden Glove in front of his abdomen.
Aston Villa, who had won the first leg 2-1, were 2-0 down in the second match in France until shortly before the end and were therefore on the verge of elimination. It was only the celebrated goal from right-back Matty Cash (87th) that brought the English back into the game – then Martinez came out on top in the man-on-man duel.
In addition to Aston Villa, AC Fiorentina and FC Brugge reached the next round. After a 0-0 draw in the first leg, the Italian first division team won their quarter-final second leg against Viktoria Pilsen 2-0 (0-0) after extra time. Nicolas Gonzalez (92nd) and Cristiano Biraghi (108th) made the decision. After the 1-0 win in the first leg, Bruges had no trouble away at PAOK Saloniki and won 2-0 (2-0).