• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Unseen footage emerges of Lionel Messi's reaction to Emi Martinez's world-class save against Randal Kolo Muani

Home> Football

Updated 13:26 4 Feb 2023 GMTPublished 12:21 4 Feb 2023 GMT

Unseen footage emerges of Lionel Messi's reaction to Emi Martinez's world-class save against Randal Kolo Muani

"Ice cold." Lionel Messi could do nothing but watch on as Randal Kolo Muani went one-on-one against Emi Martinez in the World Cup final.

Adnan Riaz

Adnan Riaz

Lionel Messi’s reaction to Emi Martinez’s world-class save against Randal Kolo Muani in Argentina’s thrilling World Cup final win over France has surfaced online.

Argentina reached the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar and took on 2018 champions France after bouncing back from their shock opening defeat to Saudi Arabia.

Messi fired the 2021 Copa America champions into the lead from the spot-kick before Angel Di Maria doubled Argentina’s advantage before half-time.

Advert

France boss Didier Deschamps made a huge tactical switch in the first half after taking off Olivier Giroud and Ousmane Dembele for Marcus Thurman and Muani respectively.

France climbed back into the contest after a sensational quick-fire brace from Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe forced the final into extra-time.

Messi restored Argentina’s lead early in the second half of extra-time before PSG teammate Mbappe completed his stunning hat-trick from the spot-kick.

Advert

However, Muani was presented with the perfect opportunity to snatch a late win for France at the Lusail Stadium after coming up one-on-one against Martinez.

The 24-year-old Eintracht Frankfurt striker was denied by a stunning save from Martinez, with Argentina immediately launching a counterattack in the dying stages of extra-time.

Footage has since emerged on social media of Messi showing a laser-like focus and not celebrating Martinez’s huge save against Muani.

Fans hailed the 35-year-old Argentina captain’s reaction, which almost paid off for Messi as he helped launch his side’s immediate counterattack against France.

Advert

“Messi’s whole international career flashed before his eyes,” one fan said in response to the footage.

Another simply tweeted: “Ice cold.”

“Literal nerves of steel,” a third Twitter user posted.

Someone else commented: “He saw the miss and he was like, ‘Yeah, there’s no way I’m losing this.’”

Advert

A fifth fan added: “He knew he was going to save it.”

Argentina went on to secure their third World Cup star with a sensational 4-2 penalty shootout victory over France.

A crestfallen Muani admitted that his chance to steal a late France winner against Argentina will be a moment he will never forget.

“I still watch it, I know it off by heart,” he told beIN SPORTS.

Advert

“In my head, I said to myself -- Randal, you have to shoot now. I tried to shoot towards the near post but the goalkeeper made a very good save. But there were other options.

“I could have lobbed him, or find Kylian Mbappe [who was free on the left]. But in the moment, I didn’t see him. It’s only when you watch back that you discover the other options.

“It’s too late. It still sticks in my throat and it’ll be there for life.”

Featured Image Credit: ITV/Twitter

Topics: Emiliano Martinez, Lionel Messi, Argentina, Football World Cup, Football, France

Adnan Riaz
Adnan Riaz

Adnan Riaz is a journalist for SPORTbible. He studied for a B.A. in History at the University of York and followed it up with an M.A. in Multimedia Journalism at MMU. Before he started writing about sports, he spent over four years in the gaming press. He has worked for several publications, including Hardcore Gamer, LADbible and the Manchester Evening News. Follow him on Twitter to find out what he is working on next. Got a story tip for Adnan? Email him: [email protected]

X

@AdnanRiaz9

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

2 mins ago
an hour ago
2 hours ago
  • 2 mins ago

    Cristiano Ronaldo's new Al Nassr contract could see second player leave after Jhon Duran exit

    Cristiano Ronaldo has signed a new contract with Al Nassr but it may result in key departures at the club.

    Football
  • an hour ago

    Liverpool fans slam Trent Alexander-Arnold's brother after talented wonderkid rejects new deal to sign for Premier League rival

    Trent Alexander-Arnold may have left Liverpool but the club's supporters are still furious with his brother and agent.

    Football
  • 2 hours ago

    Roy Keane was challenged to fight by former Premier League manager who claimed Man Utd legend 'is not as tough as he makes out'

    Roy Keane is considered one of football's last hardmen

    Football
  • 2 hours ago

    Viktor Gyokeres 'splits from model girlfriend' to 'remove all ties to Portugal' after she makes feelings clear on preferred transfer decision

    The reason behind Viktor Gyokeres ending his relationship with Ines Aguiar has been revealed.

    Football
  • Odds slashed on Lionel Messi's next club as clear favourite emerges after huge news drops on Inter Miami star's future
  • Javier Mascherano makes shock confession about Lionel Messi after his performance against Porto
  • Ecuador goalkeeper's immediate reaction to Lionel Messi's penalty miss has left fans shocked
  • Fans have all come to same verdict after watching Lionel Messi play against Porto in Club World Cup