World Cup Hero Emi Martinez Trolls Upset Fans in France by Dancing After Game-Winning Penalty Save

Kristen Wong | Apr 18, 2024

Screengrab on Twitter/ @ConnCFC

Two years after helping Lionel Messi and Argentina win the World Cup against France, Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez broke the hearts of French soccer fans yet again.

In Thursday’s UEFA Europa Conference League quarterfinal match between Villa and Ligue 1 side Lille, Martinez made two crucial saves in a 4–3 penalty shootout win that was as tense as it was entertaining. 

Martinez, who was booked for time-wasting in regulation and then booked again during the shootout for poor gamesmanship, couldn’t help trolling home fans at Stade Pierre-Mauroy after sending his team through to the semifinals. 

In the knockout tie, Martinez saved Lille midfielder Benjamin Andre’s kick to clinch the victory for Aston Villa. Immediately following his game-winning block, Martinez started dancing on the pitch in front of the opposing French fans.

EMI MARTINEZ SILENCES THE FRENCH IN A PENALTY SHOOUTOUT YET AGAIN 🧤💪

ASTON VILLA ADVANCE TO THE #UECL SEMIFINALS 👏 pic.twitter.com/kehC1hyykj

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 18, 2024

The Argentinian penalty hero became France’s most hated villain once more, as Thursday’s win marks his fifth straight penalty shootout win for club and country.

Most soccer fans were delighted to see Martinez back to his unserious, fun-loving ways.

Emi Martínez in a penalty shootout vs. a French team 🧱 pic.twitter.com/WGanqJSb3m

— B/R Football (@brfootball) April 18, 2024

Love him or hate him Emi Martinez owns France 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/OwC5O8Li65

— Janty (@CFC_Janty) April 18, 2024

Emi Martinez leaving the Lille stadium
pic.twitter.com/OLFcbLTEiJ

— Footy Humour (@FootyHumour) April 18, 2024

#avfc Emi Martinez is a legend. pic.twitter.com/6pijhyMymE

— Oakley Doakley (@Gazoaks) April 18, 2024

Emi Martinez did it again 😭 pic.twitter.com/NZlJ2mtZ9L

— ACE (fan) (@FCB_ACEE) April 18, 2024

EMI Martinez making french people cry again 😆 😂 😆

I love it

pic.twitter.com/ga8FyxM997

— BLAC™ (@ArseLegend) April 18, 2024

Emi Martinez whenever it comes to knockout football pic.twitter.com/kdMQCvGG8S

— ODDSbible (@ODDSbible) April 18, 2024

Emi Martinez

The most hated man in France
The most loved in Aston pic.twitter.com/NaOtz5AWYa

— Ty Bracey (@TyBracey) April 18, 2024

Emi Martinez is the only Goalkeeper in the world who could get 2 yellow cards in 1 game and save 2 penalties in a penalty shootout.

1 of a kind

— Ty Bracey (@TyBracey) April 18, 2024