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Argentina just punched their ticket to the 2026 World Cup final, and goalkeeper Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez is feeling every bit of it. After a 2-1 semifinal victory over England, with Lautaro Martínez netting a 92nd-minute winner assisted by Lionel Messi, the Argentine keeper told NBA star Kevin Durant that reaching back-to-back World Cup finals carries a weight that’s hard to put into words.
Argentina’s path to the final was as dramatic as it gets. Trailing or level deep into stoppage time against England, Lautaro Martínez converted a Messi assist in the 92nd minute to send Argentina through. The defending champions, who lifted the trophy in Qatar in 2022, will now face Spain in the final.
Martínez, Argentina’s first-choice goalkeeper under coach Lionel Scaloni, has previously declared he would retire from international football the day after winning a second consecutive World Cup. That storyline alone has turned him into one of the tournament’s most compelling figures.
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