Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez appeared to be sent off during the penalty shootout but remained on the pitch due to a little-known rule.
The Argentina goalkeeper, who made headlines with his antics in the World Cup final against France, was warned by Slovakian referee Ivan Kruzliak before being shown a second yellow card.
However, a bizarre rule meant he was allowed to stay on the field for the rest of the shootout and was the hero once again.
After saving early on from Nabil Bentaleb, Martinez put his finger on the lips of the hips to quiet the home fans, but Leon Bailey missed and Villa were able to level proceedings.
But before that, Martinez was shown a second yellow card of the match by Kruzliak, apparently for failing to get into position as Watkins waited to take his penalty with a ball cleared, and Villa fans were temporarily left with their hearts in their mouths. .
Emiliano Martinez was spared a red card for a little-known rule during Aston Villa’s penalty shootout against Lille
He was shown a yellow card by Slovakian referee Ivan Kruzliak during the penalty shootout, but remained on the pitch
He recovered to save Benjamin Andre’s penalty, sending Villa into the last four of the Conference League
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After Martinez’s extravagant celebrations after Bentaleb’s save, he was warned by the referee to calm down and appeared to accept the orders.
However, as the players waited for a ball for Watkins’ kick, Martinez looked at the crowd and appeared shocked when Kruzliak approached him again to show him his second yellow card of the match.
He was booked after just 38 minutes for an apparent waste of time, with the referee appearing to insinuate that he had done this several times in the match.
The 31-year-old was already the center of attention in the match after thrilling French fans as Argentina defeated the country on penalties in the World Cup final, with Martinez the star.
He took pleasure in exciting the home faithful and also performed his signature dance as he denied Benjamin Andre to give Villa victory.
Receiving a second yellow card from the referee, Villa captain Douglas Luiz charged from the halfway line to protest the decision but was told his goalkeeper could remain on the pitch.
The reason for this was a little-known rule, which states that all bookings are reset before shootouts, meaning Martinez was yellow carded twice, but did not receive a red card.
Martinez protested his innocence and was again warned about his behavior. He remained calm throughout the rest of the shootout to help his side reach the last four.
He was punished for mocking the home fans because he had become public enemy No. 1 among French supporters
The Argentine goalkeeper protested his innocence but was told he would remain on the pitch