Emiliano Martinez admits he was surprised to receive a warm reception from Bolivia supporters prior to their World Cup qualifier match.

Argentina defeated Bolivia 3-0 in La Paz, with Martinez earning his 32nd cap. He kept a clean sheet in both games as Argentina also recorded a 1-0 win over Ecuador.

Given the rivalry between the teams, Martinez was caught by surprise with the pleasant welcome, however. "Normally they don’t like me much outside of Argentina," he told Argentinian outlet TyC Sports.

"But today I was surprised by the Bolivian people who chanted my name and I have a lot of respect for this country."

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Speaking after the 3-0 win on Tuesday evening, he said: "I already knew what I was going to expect, I watched many national team matches here and shots from outside the box were always complicated, so I had a lot of respect for them."

Martinez will travel back to England to join Unai Emery's squad ahead of Crystal Palace's visit on Saturday (3pm).

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