Emiliano Martinez has claimed that he knew Aurelien Tchouameni was going to be "nervous" before he missed his penalty as Argentina beat France in the World Cup final at Lusail Stadium.
The Real Madrid midfielder squandered the chance to get Les Bleus back into the shootout as he fired his spot-kick wide of the mark as Argentina ran out 4-2 winners on penalties. In a topsy-turvy encounter, La Albiceleste and France couldn't be separated as the game ended 3-3 after the extra-time.
Kylian Mbappe struck a hat-trick, while Lionel Messi grabbed a brace for Argentina in one of the most bonkers finals in the history of the competition. Although France seemed to have the momentum going into penalties, Martinez helped change the pattern of play as he saved Kingsley Coman's penalty and put off Tchouameni.
With his side already 2-0 down, it felt as though Tchouameni had to score to keep France in the shootout but the 22-year-old dragged his spot-kick wide of Martinez's right-hand post. The Aston Villa goalkeeper had dived the right way but didn't need to get any contact on the ball as the effort rolled past the post.
According to Marca, Martinez knew Tchouameni was "nervous" when he walked up to take the penalty and added that he "screwed up everything" by missing the target completely. After the penalty flew wide, Martinez decided to perform a rather unique celebration as he thrusted his hips in the air while holding his private parts.
"When I saved the first penalty, I knew that the other boy was going to be nervous, he threw it out. He screwed up everything," Martinez said as he returned home to Mar del Plata during the celebrations.
On Thursday, the French press named Martinez as the 'most hated Argentine', as after winning the Golden Glove award, Martinez decided to celebrate by making a rude gesture with the gong as he held it over his private parts. The 30-year-old has since explained he made the gesture because French fans were booing him following Argentina's thrilling victory over Les Bleus.
The former Arsenal keeper was one of the first players to console Kylian Mbappe after the final whistle as the Paris Saint-Germain star looked distraught after his side's defeat. However, after being booed, Martinez decided to mock Mbappe in the dressing room by calling for a minutes' silence for the France forward.
Martinez continued to taunt Mbappe as he held a baby doll with his face on during Argentina's World Cup trophy celebrations back in Buenos Aires. To add salt to the wound, Martinez held the Mbappe doll while standing next to Lionel Messi as the duo celebrated Argentina's success at the tournament.
Subsequently, the French media have emphasised their dislike of Martinez, with French outlet TF1 labelling him 'the most hated Argentine', while his crude gesture after picking up his Golden Glove award was labelled as disrespectful and 'indecent'.
