Goalkeepers

PSG coach says no bad blood between Messi-Mbappé, but Emi Martínez is another story

After sending 11 players to the World Cup, Paris Saint-Germain's season resumes Wednesday with the Ligue 1 leaders needing to find motivation for a home match against 19th-place Strasbourg.

PSG manager Christophe Galtier gave his pre-match press conference Tuesday and outlined how many of the club's World Cup stars would be available for selection — including France's Kylian Mbappé, Morocco's Achraf Hakimi and Brazil's Neymar — but Argentina's Lionel Messi had been given extended leave until early January.

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery says he’ll speak with Emi Martínez about his World Cup celebrations

Aston Villa coach Unai Emery praised Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez's performance at the World Cup, but said he will have a discussion with him about his attitude during the celebrations ahead of the resumption of Premier League action.

After Argentina won the World Cup by defeating France in a penalty shootout, keeper "Dibu" Martinez was in the spotlight for his Golden Glove-winning celebration and later during the victory festivities in Buenos Aires, where he carried a toy baby with Kylian Mbappe's face on it during an open-top bus parade.

Emiliano Martínez sure is the most hated soccer player right now

Sergio Ramos, Pepe, Diego Costa and Luis Suárez have all been, at some point in their careers, the most hated soccer player in the world. And after the 2022 World Cup, we may agree that such an infamous honor now belongs to Argentina's goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez.

What a cake!

There's a chance that Martínez is a wonderful person around his family and friends, but on soccer player duties, there is no doubt that he's a massive prick.

At least among those who are not Argentines.

Emiliano Martínez shimmies, saves and secures Argentina’s World Cup with vital saves at the end

Emiliano Martínez didn’t have a single shot come toward his goal until the 71st minute. From that moment on he became one of the key figures in Argentina’s 4-2 penalty shootout victory vs. France in the World Cup final after the game finished 3-3 at the end of extra time.

Martínez was one of the most polarizing characters at the 2022 World Cup. His haters despise him for his gamesmanship, taunting and excessive celebratory body gyrations. Martínez’s critics have one other thing to deal with: he’s a DAMN good goalkeeper.

Melbourne derby abandoned after fans storm pitch, attack goalkeeper

The A-League derby between Melbourne City and Melbourne Victory was abandoned amid chaotic scenes following a pitch invasion on Saturday in which City goalkeeper Tom Glover was left bloodied after he was struck in the face.

Glover was hit by a metal bucket used to dispose of flares as fans from the Victory end stormed onto the pitch after the 20-minute mark of the game with City leading 1-0 at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium.

Hugo Lloris denies Morocco (and us) of goal of the tournament

Trailing 1-0 to France shortly before halftime in Wednesday's FIFA World Cup semifinal, Morocco center back Jawad El Yamiq almost found an equalizer with an outrageous bicycle kick from 12 yards out.

Initially it looked like the overhead attempt had thumped directly off the base of the post, but it was counted as a shot on target and save for Hugo Lloris after replays showed the French goalkeeper getting his fingertips to it to help aid it onto the woodwork.

Without Lloris' touch, maybe the shot hits the inside of the post and goes in. 

Neymar ties Pelé’s record with sublime goal but Brazil eliminated on penalties

Neymar Jr. tied Pelé’s record for the most goals scored for Brazil’s national team on Friday during his side’s 4-2 defeat on penalties vs. Croatia. Neymar’s go-ahead goal in the 106th minute was a classic display of his silky footwork and his 77th for Brazil.

Croatia’s goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic put in a nearly flawless shift denying and frustrating the Brazilians all game. It was going to take something truly special to put the ball in Croatia’s net, and Neymar was just the man to do it.

Missed chances and missed marks — 3 Takeaways from USA defeat to Netherlands

The USA’s 2022 World Cup run ended in the Round of 16 on Saturday with a 3-1 loss to the Netherlands. It’s a game that could have ended differently for the Stars and Stripes who simply weren’t at their best.

This youthful American team will be disappointed in the loss but should be proud of their performances in the tournament. This team went undefeated in the group stage, outplayed mighty England and was the only Concacaf team to advance to the Round of 16.

For one last time let’s look at the three takeaways from the USA’s final game.

Worst decision of the World Cup? Cameroon drops André Onana and immediately suffers

Cameroon produced a thrilling two-goal comeback to draw Serbia 3-3 on Monday to keep its World Cup dream alive, but would the Indomitable Lions' performance have been more than enough to secure three points if starting goalkeeper André Onana hadn't been dropped by manager Rigobert Song?

Germany blows golden last-minute opportunity to defeat Spain in shocking fashion

Germany still has a chance to advance out of the group stage, however it will be an uphill battle as the 2014 World Cup champions tied Spain 1-1 on Sunday. German fans will be disappointed not to come away the three points as their team botched several big chances.

In the final moments of the game Leroy Sané broke free toward Spain’s goal. In the middle he had Niclas Füllkrug as an option or he could shoot. Instead, he did this.

Leroy Sané Chance vs. Spain

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