Emiliano Martinez was the unsurprising star of a dramatic penalty shootout as Aston Villa edged past Lille and into the semi-final of the Europa Conference League.
The Argentina goalkeeper, who helped his country win the World Cup 18 months ago, produced some similar heroics in France, saving spot-kicks from Nabil Bentaleb and Benjamin Andre to earn a 4-3 shootout win after the quarter-final had ended 3-3 on aggregate after two legs.
There was plenty of his trademark dark arts on show as he shushed the baiting French crowd, who had not forgotten what happened in Qatar, and then caused confusion by receiving a yellow card from the referee in the middle of the shootout, having already been booked in normal time.
But bookings are not carried forward into the shootout meaning he could stay on and send Villa into a first European semi-final since 1982.
They were not deserving of victory, though, as they were outplayed for the majority of the second leg in France, with goals from Yusuf Yazici and Andre overturning a 2-1 first leg advantage.
Matty Cash’s 87th-minute strike sent it to extra-time, with Martinez coming up trumps in the shootout to give boss Unai Emery an eighth successive European quarter-final victory.
The Spaniard, so prolific in the Europa League with Sevilla and Villarreal will be eyeing another European trophy.
Niclas Fullkrug’s stunning finish gave Borussia Dortmund the edge in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final against Paris St Germain.Fullkrug pounced in the 35th minute to seal a 1-0 victory but an end-to-end clash at Signal Iduna Park could have been snatched by either team with chances arriving thick and fast in a furious second half.Jadon Sancho, on loan from Manchester United...
Let's start our 7M Daily Laugh today. PSG run into a yellow wall as Dortmund win the first leg 1-0 to inch toward the Champions League final Erik ten Hag watching Jadon Sancho cook PSG in a Champions League semifinal Past, present and future, Toni Kroos is always pulling the strings Leicester city last Season and this season Ben White this Season Barca fans watching PSG lose to Dortmund D...
Saudi Arabian club Al-Qadsiah are keen on signing Liverpool captain Virgil Van Dijk as the Dutch defender's contract at Anfield expires in 2025. That is according to Sports Zone, who report the Saudis' interest in the centre-back and have made a fantastic offer for the 32-year-old.The Middle Eastern outfit are currently top of the Saudi second division and will compete in the Saudi Pro League next...
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Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi is being considered by AC Milan.Milan are expected to split from coach Stefano Pioli at the end of the season.Talks with former Wolves and Spain manager Julen Lopetegui have been held, which has produced a backlash from Milan fans.Now Milan are turning to De Zerbi, says TMW, with talks planned in the coming weeks.And key to the deal could be De Zerbi's ties with the ...
Man United plan to sell controversial star Mason Greenwood this summer and the Premier League club have set a £40m price tag ahead of the upcoming transfer window.Fabrizio Romano reported this week that Man United are yet to make a decision on what to do with Greenwood for the 2024/25 campaign, with one set to arrive once the season concludes.However, the Manchester club's position is still t...
Bruno Fernandes has said he will consider his future at Manchester United, but not until after this summer's European Championship with Portugal.The United captain insists he is fully focused on the FA Cup Final against Manchester City on May 25 and competing at the Euros in Germany.Amid media speculation that he could leave United, when asked about his future, Fernandes, 29, told Dazn Portugal: "...
Jurgen Klopp has been tipped for a sensational return to Borussia Dortmund ahead of his imminent exit from Liverpool.WHAT HAPPENED?With Klopp stepping down as Liverpool manager at the end of the season, due to "running out of energy", questions have been raised over what the German will do after that, though he has vowed to take a year away from the game. Now, according to The Independent, rumours...
Barcelona have given centre-back Ronald Araujo a deadline to sort out his future.The Uruguayan is one of the high profile players the Catalan giants may have to sell.Per Sport in Spain, the 25-year-old has been informed that he has a month to decide if he wants to stay or go.Araujo, who has a contract offer from Manchester United, can either renew his deal or be sold for a high fee this summer.His...
Chelsea could be about to re-appoint Antonio Conte as manager at Stamford Bridge, six years after his explosive exit from the club.The Italian took over in west London in 2016, guiding the Blues to a title in his first campaign before the FA Cup a year later. Failure to qualify for the Champions League in his sophomore season resulted in an acrimonious exit from the capital, before he returned in ...
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