Argentina have never lost a penalty shootout with Emiliano Martínez in goal. That will offer the South Americans a significant psychological edge should Wednesday's World Cup semi-final against England go to penalties.
Both teams were taken to extra time in the quarter-finals. Argentina have already gone beyond 90 minutes twice at this tournament. Martínez's penalty prowess hasn't been required yet, but it could be the decisive factor in Atlanta.
Emiliano Martínez Penalty Record — The Numbers Behind the Myth
Martínez's unbeaten international penalty record covers three different tournaments and four shootouts. His first came at Copa América 2021, when Argentina edged out Colombia 3-2 on spot-kicks in the semi-finals.
Two World Cup shootout victories for Argentina followed in 2022. The Aston Villa shot-stopper then repeated the trick as La Albiceleste advanced on penalties against Ecuador in the quarter-finals of Copa América 2024.
Across those four ties, Argentina's opponents converted only 50% of their penalties. That's a remarkably low conversion rate at the elite level.
Martínez has also been responsible for some of the most defining moments in his country's recent football history. Those include his penalty saves against Virgil van Dijk and Steven Berghuis, followed by his now-famous celebratory dance in the 2022 World Cup quarter-finals.
In the final of that competition, Martínez's late extra-time save from France's Randal Kolo Muani was one of the greatest ever seen on the biggest stage. He backed it up by denying Kingsley Coman in the shootout.
At each of the three international tournaments he has won, Martínez has been voted the best goalkeeper. The 2022 Golden Glove winner will be hoping to get his hands on the prize again this summer.
Argentina World Cup 2026 — Why Martínez Matters More Than Ever
There have already been two occasions at this World Cup when it looked like Martínez's penalty-saving heroics might be needed again. After cruising through the group stage, Argentina were surprisingly taken to extra time by Cabo Verde in the Round of 32. They needed a late own goal to edge out the debutants.
La Albiceleste were in even deeper trouble in the next round, as they faced African opposition again. Trailing 2-0 heading into the final 15 minutes, a goal and an assist from Lionel Messi helped spark a dramatic late 3-2 comeback win.
In the last eight, Argentina weren't any more convincing. They needed extra time against Switzerland's 10 men, but found a way once more. Julián Alvarez and Lautaro Martínez fired late goals to set up a semi-final against England.
Until this point, the reigning champions haven't needed Martínez to save them, but he's the