Emiliano Martínez played through a fractured finger to help Aston Villa secure a 3–0 victory over SC Freiburg in the UEFA Europa League final held in Istanbul, winning the club’s first European trophy in 44 years.
The match took place in the UEFA Europa League final, where Aston Villa produced a commanding performance. Martínez sustained the injury during the warm-up before kick-off, when his finger was broken. Despite receiving treatment on the pitch and having the area taped, he continued in goal for the entirety of the match.
Throughout the game, the Argentina international remained in position and played a key role in maintaining a clean sheet. SC Freiburg created several promising attacking situations, but Martínez was able to intervene and prevent any goals being scored against his side. His presence in goal contributed significantly to Aston Villa’s defensive stability.
Aston Villa’s goals were scored by Youri Tielemans, Emiliano Buendía, and Morgan Rogers, securing a comprehensive 3–0 result. The victory marked a major achievement for the club in European competition and ended a long wait for a continental trophy.
Match Summary
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Competition | UEFA Europa League Final |
| Venue | Istanbul |
| Result | Aston Villa 3–0 SC Freiburg |
| Aston Villa Goalscorers | Youri Tielemans, Emiliano Buendía, Morgan Rogers |
| Injury | Fractured finger sustained during warm-up |
| Outcome | Aston Villa win first European trophy in 44 years |
After the final whistle, Martínez joined his teammates in celebration despite his injury. He interacted with supporters and was seen celebrating with head coach Unai Emery, including lifting him onto his shoulders during the post-match scenes.
Martínez, formerly of Arsenal, has now won every major final he has played in during his career. His honours include the FIFA World Cup, two Copa América titles, the FA Cup, and now the UEFA Europa League. This record highlights his consistent involvement in successful final matches across both international and club competitions.
Following the match, Martínez confirmed that the injury occurred during the warm-up. He stated: “It broke during the warm-up. But I always believe that something good can come out of something bad. That is how I have always lived my life and how I will continue to do so.” He also added: “It has never happened before. When I tried to catch the ball, the finger was moving in the wrong direction. But you have to go through these things. It is a source of pride to play for Aston Villa.”
Despite concerns that may arise from the injury ahead of future international fixtures, Martínez did not display any immediate indication of serious complication following the match, according to the account provided.