Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez avoided an embarrassing penalty shootout dismissal due to a little-known rule.
The Argentinian, who made headlines during spot kicks at the World Cup, was booked for time-wasting in the first-half of Villa’s Europa Conference League clash against Lille and was booked again in the shootout, but stayed on the pitch.
Unai Emery’s side lost 2-1 on the night but with the aggregate score at 3-3 at the end of the second leg, extra-time and penalties were needed.
Martinez played some quick mind games and was warned for his antics before stepping up to save a penalty from Nabil Bentaleb and then shushing the crowd.
Moments after, he gestured to the home crowd as he gloated his save and received another booking from referee Ivan Kruzliak.
Although it was his second yellow of the game, the former Arsenal man was still able to avoid a sending off.
As per IFAB rules, yellow cards during normal time are not carried into penalty shootouts, much to the relief of Martinez.
The Villa goalkeeper later saved a second penalty from Benjamin Andre to send Villa through to the semi-finals of the competition.
Despite VAR checking to see he stayed on his line, he turned around to the home fans behind the goal and did a quick dance.
He then ran off to celebrate with his teammates as they overcame their defeat in normal time to win in dramatic circumstances.
Speaking to TNT Sports after the game about his yellow card in the first-half for time-wasting, he said: “The other goalie was doing exactly the same thing.
“I got booked after 30 minutes and we’re losing the game, so I don’t know what the ref wants from me.”
And on his second yellow card of the night, he explained: “There was no ball on the penalty spot and I’m asking for a ball to a ball boy and the I get booked. I just don’t understand the rules.”
Yusuf Yazici opened the scoring for Lille before Andre headed in their second to give the Ligue 1 hope of reaching the semi-finals.
However, Matty Cash saw his deflected effort fire into the back of the net in the 87th minute to hand Villa a huge lifeline.
Martinez then emerged as the hero in the shootout in a 4-3 win on penalties, one that wasn’t shy of drama.
Villa will face Olympiacos in the final four, with just three games separating them and European glory.
News Summary:
- Little-known rule sees Emiliano Martinez avoid being sent off for Aston Villa during penalty shootout despite earlier yellow
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