Gary Neville praised Tottenham Hotspur target Emiliano Martinez on ITV (5:59pm, December 18, 2022) after watching the Aston Villa goalkeeper in action for Argentina against France in the final of the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
The former Manchester United defender was impressed by how Martinez, linked with a move to Antonio Conte’s Tottenham, did well in the penalty shootout in the final between Argentina and France on Sunday evening.
Argentina beat France 4-2 in the penalty shootout.
The South American giants went 2-0 up after just 36 minutes.
Messi opened the scoring for Argentina in the 23rd minute, and Angel Di Maria doubled the advantage on 36 minutes.
Kylian Mbappe halved the deficit for France in the 80th minute from the penalty spot, and then just moments later, the PSG forward found the back of the net with an audacious effort.
The World Cup final went into extra time after it ended 2-2 following normal time.
Messi put Argentina ahead in the 108th minute, only for Mbappe to compete his hat-trick from the penalty spot on 118 minutes.
The game went into penalties, and Argentina won the shootout 4-2.
Martinez was brilliant in the shootout, as his antics unsettled the French players.
The former Arsenal goalkeeper saved Kingsley Coman’s spot kick, while Aurelien Tchouameni could not keep his effort on target.
Martinez was also very good inside 120 minutes, making some important saves, especially in extra time.
Earlier this week, well-known and well-respected journalist Dean Jones told Give Me Sport that Martinez is among the goalkeepers that Tottenham are interested in signing and keeping an eye on.
Gary Neville on Tottenham target Emiliano Martinez after Argentina’s World Cup success
Neville said: “Argentina, their passion, their emotion, their fight, their spirit, their nastiness to the very end with Martinez and what he was doing in his goalkeeping was absolutely amazing.”
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
