Bunur Creates New Moments For Save Africa Cup

A striking collage has been circulating on social media, capturing two goalkeepers in almost identical postures as they deny a goal. One is Morocco’s Yassine Bounou, the other Argentina’s Emiliano Martinez. Despite hailing from different continents, the likeness between them became a talking point following Bounou’s sensational save in the Africa Cup of Nations final.

In Rabat, during the final against Senegal, Bounou produced a miraculous save in the 37th minute, reminiscent of the one Martinez made on football’s biggest stage. Even those who did not watch the match could sense the uncanny similarity that prompted the viral collage.

Indeed, the saves are nearly identical. “Nearly,” because Martinez blocked the ball with his left foot, while Bounou used his right. Their timing differed, but the technique was astonishingly similar—effectively a “carbon copy.” The original, of course, remains Martinez’s iconic stop.

Martinez’s save is etched in football history. In the 2022 Qatar World Cup final, Argentina faced France. With the score level at 3–3 during extra time (123rd minute), a defensive lapse by Nicolás Otamendi left France’s Kolo Muani one-on-one with Martinez. A goal would have handed France victory, yet Martinez’s left-footed save kept Argentina alive. This moment is widely regarded as one of the greatest saves in World Cup history and paved the way for Argentina’s eventual triumph in the penalty shootout, 4–2.

Bounou’s moment was equally spectacular, though Morocco fell short. Senegal clinched the trophy with a goal in the fourth minute of extra time. Still, without Bounou’s crucial interventions, the match might never have reached that stage. In particular, the 37th-minute save came as Senegal’s striker Elimane Ndiaye approached Morocco’s right side, only to see Bounou advance to cut down the angle, hands and feet perfectly aligned—a mirror image of Martinez’s technique.

Comparative Table of Iconic Saves

Football is replete with such echoes of history. Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” and solo runs in the 1986 World Cup, and later Lionel Messi’s dribbles past multiple opponents, evoke similar comparisons. In 2007, Messi’s goal against Getafe, bypassing four or five defenders, was described as a “carbon copy” of Maradona’s feat. Even a later handball goal by Messi drew parallels to Maradona’s legendary strike.

So, did Bounou just revive Martinez’s “Leg of God”? Time will tell how football fans immortalise this save.

Despite missing out on the trophy, Bounou has little reason to be disappointed. With five clean sheets in seven matches, he claimed the Best Goalkeeper award at the Africa Cup of Nations, proudly lifting the trophy with a beaming smile in front of the cameras.