‘He is useless’: Emiliano Martinez lashes out at Spanish referee Antonio Mateu

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Argentina’s goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was his country’s star in penalties. He saved two penalties in the shootout as Argentina beat the Netherlands 4–3 to cement their place in the semi-finals of the ongoing FIFA World Cup.

After the match, however, the Argentinian goalkeeper punched Spanish referee Antonio Mateu.

“It was a tough game,” said Martinez in his post-game interview.

“I thought we controlled the game really well. We went 2-0 up, actually we controlled the game. The referee just gave everything for them. Suddenly they get a good header, a good tap, which I couldn’t see and then it just turned upside down.

“The referee gave everything for them. He gave 10 minutes [added time] for no reason. He gave them two, three free kicks outside the box. He just wanted them to score, that’s pretty much it. So hopefully we don’t have him anymore that ref. He’s useless.’

Martinez didn’t stop there. He also criticized Dutch manager Louis van Gaal.

“It ignited the dynamite,” Martinez said.

“In football I learned that people talk on the pitch. They said a lot of stupid things before the game… That made me stronger.”

“I think he should keep his mouth shut.”

Martinez then made the save and danced a jig.

“I couldn’t help the guys by saving in the first 90 minutes,” said Martinez, “but I had to help them there.”

“Thank God I saved two, and I could have saved more,” said Martínez, who fell to the ground after Lautaro Martinez converted the winning penalty before getting to his feet and running to the Dutch bench to insult his opponents.

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