Mind games, penos and grace in victory: Emi Martinez shines on biggest stage

The Aston Villa goalkeeper played a key role as Argentina ended their wait for a World cup title.

GOLDEN HOUR: Argentina's goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez holds the Golden Glove award for best goalkeeper of the tournament. Picture: AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

It is hard to look past the Messi v Mbappe match-up that ultimately lived up to its pre-match hype, but special mention has to go to Emiliano Martinez for his part in this most amazing of games, the most dramatic of World Cup finals, even eclipsing 1966.

For almost 80 minutes of normal time, the Aston Villa goalkeeper had effectively nothing to do, except pluck one or two corner kicks out of the air.