The best player in the World Cup final has been Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, whose work in net has kept the team alive.
Martinez was a star the last time Argentina won the World Cup in 2022, but he’s been even more important in this match, as Argentina hasn’t been able to get anything going offensively. Spain have controlled the ball throughout the match, putting pressure on Martinez.
In fact, Martinez’s performance is now in the history books as perhaps the best performance by a goalkeeper in World Cup final history. Here’s how Martinez made history against Spain.
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Most saves in a World Cup Final
Martinez’s 11 saves in the World Cup final are now the all-time record for saves in a World Cup final. The previous record was eight saves, which was set in the 1994 final between Brazil and Italy and was also the last time the final took place in the United States.
Martinez is one of the more experienced goalkeepers at the World Cup, and it’s no surprise that he was up to the task in the final match. Still, it’s rare to see a goalkeeper collect that many saves in such a big contest.
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Emiliano Martinez saves vs. Spain
Many of Martinez’s 11 saves weren’t too difficult, but they were still necessary to keep Argentina in the match. The best saves of the match for Martinez were the last two of regulation, though.
First, the record-breaking save came on a Nico Williams shot, as he kept Spain scoreless with a ninth save.
HISTORY FOR EMI MARTÍNEZ 🧤
He breaks the Men’s FIFA World Cup Final record with 9 saves in this match, and Argentina gets a red card immediately after! pic.twitter.com/DvM7EUQdlJ
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 19, 2026
Then, as regulation expired, Martinez made his most impressive save of the afternoon on a Lamine Yamal free kick, which appeared on its way towards being the walk-off winner.
EMI MARTÍNEZ IS A BRICK WALL IN GOAL, RECORDING HIS 10TH SAVE OF THE FIFA WORLD CUP FINAL 🤯
WE HEAD TO EXTRA TIME LEVEL AFTER DIBU DENIES LAMINE YAMAL 🚨 pic.twitter.com/g3x6YqXkoS
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 19, 2026
Without Martinez, Argentina wouldn’t have been able to extend the match to extra time and have a chance to win a second-straight title.
