Super Eagles legend sends message to Arsenal product after penalty heroics for Argentina

Super Eagles legend Yakubu Aiyegbeni has sent a message to Arsenal academy product Emiliano Martínez after his penalty heroics helped Argentina beat Netherlands in the quarterfinal of the 2022 World Cup on Friday night.

The two players have a connection with Reading as they both played for the Championship club, the Nigerian in the 2014-2015 season while the Argentina star in the 2018-2019 season on loan from Arsenal.

Argentina required penalties to progress to the semifinals with extra time ending 2-2 at the Lusail Iconic Stadium.

Nahuel Molina poked a low effort past Andries Noppert to open the scoring in the 35th minute after he was teed up by Lionel Messi, and the advantage was doubled when the La Albiceleste skipper converted a penalty with seventeen minutes left.

Wout Weghorst, with a glancing header, halved the deficit in the 83rd minute, and the substitute netted his second of the game with seconds remaining to send the game to extra time.

In the shootout, Martinez gave Argentina an early advantage when he successfully stopped kicks from Virgil van Dijk and Berghuis, while Enzo Fernandez missed Argentina's fourth kick.

Martínez took to Instagram to react to Argentina's win over the Netherlands, posting : "With humility, heart, passion and head. We keep dreaming. We keep firm. We are united for a country."

Reacting to Martinez's post, Aiyegbeni said : "Congratulations "

Argentina beat the Netherlands 4-3 to set up a semifinal clash against Croatia on Tuesday at Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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