Paulo Dybala reveals Emi Martinez's crucial penalty shootout advice
By Sean Walsh
Paulo Dybala has revealed that Emi Martinez gave him decisive advice before scoring a crucial penalty in Argentina's World Cup final win against France.
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.
Dybala was brought on as a substitute in stoppage time of extra time having missed much of the tournament through injury, and the Roma star opened up on the prospect of preparing for the shootout - with a little help from his goalkeeper.
"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."
Dybala took Argentina's second kick in the shootout, immediately following Lionel Messi. Leandro Paredes and Gonzalo Montiel followed up to seal the win.