The Argentina national team came close to winning back-to-back World Cups in 2026, but suffered a crushing defeat to Spain in the final.

Although it wasn’t the tournament in which Emiliano Martínez kept the most clean sheets (he managed just two in eight matches), the goalkeeper once again demonstrated his class.

Playing the entire tournament with an injured finger and without missing a single minute out of love for his national team, ‘Dibu’ put in an individual performance in the final that will go down in history.

The two-time winner of the Yashin Trophy (2023 and 2024) cemented his place amongst the elite with an unprecedented record that will be difficult for any other goalkeeper to match.

A historic performance in the final

Despite the 1–0 defeat, Martínez’s performance in the title decider set figures never before seen in the competition.

The Argentine shone with 11 saves against Spain and became the goalkeeper with the most saves recorded in a single World Cup final.

In fact, ‘Dibu’ made more saves in the decisive match (11) than the winning goalkeeper, Unai Simón, did throughout the entire tournament (10).

This incredible performance saw Martínez finish the tournament as the third-highest save-maker in the competition, alongside Gregor Kobel and Diogo Costa.

Ranking of goalkeepers with the most saves at the 2026 World Cup

  1. Orlando Gill (Paraguay): 28 saves

  2. Eloy Room (Curaçao): 21 saves

  3. Emiliano Martínez (Argentina): 20 saves

  4. Gregor Kobal (Switzerland): 20 saves

  5. Diogo Costa (Portugal): 20 saves

  6. Jordan Pickford (England): 19 saves

  7. Yassine Bounou (Morocco): 19 saves

  8. Vozinha (Cape Verde): 18 saves

Doubts over his future with the Argentina national team

After the match against Spain, Emiliano Martínez took to social media to express his feelings and wrote a message that set alarm bells ringing in Argentina.

Deeply affected by the defeat, the goalkeeper conveyed the squad’s frustration and even left the door open for his possible retirement from the national team:

“I dreamt we’d win it again, I dreamt of bringing it back to Argentina and making history once more. I’m really, really sorry… I tried my absolute best to help my country and my teammates,” began the Aston Villa goalkeeper.

And in the same vein, he said what nobody wanted to hear: “To be honest, the pain is hard to explain; there’s a lot to reflect on and we need to see how to move forward and whether it’s time to step aside.”

The time has come for Martínez – and for the entire Argentina national team – to reflect. Even Lionel Scaloni himself has cast doubt on his future as manager.

However, whatever happens in the coming months, the mark left by this generation is already indelible.

This squad managed to restore hope and glory to an Argentina that had forgotten how to celebrate.

Without a doubt, they will be remembered forever.