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Paulo Dybala reveals Emi Martinez’s crucial penalty shootout advice.
Paulo Dybala has claimed that Emi Martinez provided him with wise advice before he converted a critical penalty in Argentina’s victory against France in the World Cup final.
La Albiceleste clinched their third title – their first in 36 years – on Sunday following a tense penalty shootout, with all four of Argentina’s takers converting.
After missing much of the tournament due to injury, Dybala was added as a replacement in stoppage time in extra time, and the Roma star spoke candidly about the idea of getting ready for the shootout with a little help from his goalie.
“When the coach called me to to go on, I knew it was for penalties,” Dybala said. “And so I had to try to be as cool-headed as possible. It is not easy because you don’t play a World Cup final every day.
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“It took me a long time to walk to the ball. It couldn’t have been longer. I had spoken with Dibu [Martinez]. He had advised me to shoot down the middle after they had missed. They always dive. I was going to go for the side, the goalkeeper dove to that side, but I heard what my colleague said.
“I changed at the last minute. I listened to Dibu because they had made a mistake before me and he told me to go down the middle, shoot there and it was a goal.”
Following Lionel Messi, Dybala took Argentina’s second shot in the shootout. To complete the victory, Leandro Paredes and Gonzalo Montiel came on after.