Argentina 'keeper Martínez elevates cult-hero status again

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When a team triumphs, supporters quickly credit the offensive players for their efforts on the pitch and the coach for the tactical management over the course of the 90 minutes. But a goalkeeper's performance, no matter how great, often goes unnoticed.

Emiliano Martínez, however, leaped into the spotlight in the Copa América quarterfinals on Thursday to put aside any possibility of being labeled unsung or underrated.

His Argentina side had almost secured a ticket to the semifinals in regular time, passionately defending a 1-0 scoreline for the majority of the match. Then Kevin Rodríguez scored for Ecuador in stoppage time to make it 1-1 and force a penalty…