Emiliano Martinez, Dominik Livakovic, Hugo Lloris, Bono – the goalkeepers of the semi-finalists make the difference. Fans will probably erect a monument to you after the World Cup.
By Carsten Muth
12/12/2022 – 16:42
As a player and a coach, Jupp Heynckes has achieved almost everything a player and a coach can achieve. German champion, cup winner, UEFA Cup winner with Borussia Mönchengladbach, European and world champion with Germany, champion, cup winner and Champions League winner with Real Madrid and FC Bayern Munich. So the man must know what he is saying. The 77-year-old coined the footballing wisdom that the attacker wins games, while the defense wins championships. At the World Cup in Qatar, it may well be that the goalkeepers decide the title at the end. The semi-finalists, who will compete for the two places in the final from this Tuesday, each have outstanding goalkeepers. They contribute greatly to the success of their teams and are already the stars of this final. But who is the goalkeeper who will count when Argentina meet Croatia on Tuesday (8 p.m. / ARD) then France will meet Morocco on Wednesday (8 p.m. / ZDF)?
Emiliano Martinez (Argentina) In the quarter-final penalty shootout against the Dutch, the 30-year-old saved two attempts and paved the way for the Albiceleste to reach the semi-finals. Martinez has just 24 caps and is under contract with Aston Villa. “We knew he was there for us on penalties. That he’s a beast,” said superstar Lionel Messi. At the World Cup in Qatar, Martinez, who is 1.95m tall, continues the tradition of Argentina international goalkeepers who have made a name for themselves as penalty killers. Sergio Goycochea became a hero for the South Americans in the quarter-finals against Yugoslavia and in the semi-finals against Italy in the 1990 World Cup. Sergio Romero made the Dutch despair in the semi-finals of the World Cup World 2014 in Brazil.
Dominik Livakovic (Croatia) In the event of a penalty shootout on Tuesday, the Croats also know that they have an expert in their ranks. Dominik Livakovic is the hero par excellence of this world championship in this discipline. The 27-year-old from Croatian serial champion Dinamo Zagreb saved three penalties in the round of 16 against Japan, in the quarter-finals he robbed the Brazilians of their last nerve in a penalty shootout.
The Livakovic star has risen in Qatar – as one of the team’s few players to play in the domestic league rather than abroad. The 1.87m goalkeeper made several superb saves ahead of the penalty shootout against Brazil. Livakovic is even now traded to Bayern Munich. Replacing Manuel Neuer, absent for months with his broken right leg.
Hugo Lloris (France) L’Équipe Tricolore wants to be the first team since Brazil 1962 to defend the title. Hugo Lloris, world champion with the French four years ago in Russia, also wants to make history again. “We know this is something very, very special that we can achieve. We are all aware of that,” said the 35-year-old Tottenham Hotspur player. Lloris has captained the France team for ten years and is a loyal goalscorer for the national team. He made his debut in 2008 as a he was still playing for Olympique Lyonnais. The 1.88m goalkeeper played his 143rd international appearance in the 2-1 win over England in the quarter-finals of the World Cup in Qatar. Lloris left behind him the 1998 world champion Lilian Thuram as a record international.
Bono (Morocco) It doesn’t matter if Morocco reach the final or not, they will probably build a monument to the goalkeeper at home. Bono, real name Yassine Bounou, keeps his box clean no matter how beleaguered it gets. In the knockout matches against Spain and Portugal, Morocco had to fend off constant pressure from their opponents. The 27-year-old Sevilla FC player stands out in a passionate, skilful and disciplined defensive formation. Bono is yet to be defeated by play in the tournament so far. At least not from an opposing kicker. It was only in Nayef Aguerd’s own goal against Canada that the 1.92m man was helpless.
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