Portugal into Euro 2024 last eight after Costa’s saves

FRANKFURT, Germany: Goalkeeper Diogo Costa saved all three penalties as Portugal won 3-0 in a shootout against a brave Slovenia side who had held them to a 0-0 draw after Cristiano Ronaldo’s extra-time miss from the spot in a dramatic Euro 2024 last-16 clash on Monday.

Portugal had the lion’s share of the chances but also their brilliant goalkeeper to thank for a one-on-one save from Slovenia striker Benjamin Sesko as they stumbled into a quarter-final meeting with France in Hamburg on Friday.

Costa also saved from Josip Ilicic, Jure Balkovec and Benjamin Verbic in the shootout - the first keeper to save three penalties in a Euros shootout - to send his side through despite a team performance that lacked spark for the most part.

“This is probably the best game of my life,” Costa said. “I focused on doing what I had to do. I went with my gut feeling. Of course we had analysed the penalty takers, but players change how they shoot. I’m very happy and very excited to have helped the team.”

“Even the strongest people have their (bad) days. I was at rock bottom ... when the team needed me the most,” Ronaldo said in a post-match interview before bursting into tears again. “Sadness at the start is joy at the end. That’s what football is. Moments, inexplicable moments,” he said. “I feel sad and happy at the same time. But the important thing is to enjoy it. The team did an extraordinary job.

Tearful Ronaldo a frustrated great battling with Father Time

“Time beat him. Time takes everybody out. It’s undefeated,” said Rocky Balboa in the film “Creed” and those words could easily be applied to Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo who struggled to impose himself on their Euro 2024 last-16 game with Slovenia on Monday.

A tearful Ronaldo being embraced and comforted by team mates after missing a penalty in extra time that could have helped Portugal secure a spot in the quarter-finals before a shootout win is a cathartic image that stunned fans around the world.

Portugal won 3-0 on penalties minutes later, with Ronaldo converting the first spot kick and apologising to fans in the stands immediately after scoring before breaking down in tears following the game and being unable to finish an interview.

His tears showed more than just the sorrow or guilt of a player feeling the weight of responsibility from almost letting his country down. They were the tears of a frustrated player who expects greatness but was not the difference maker he once was.

During the 2022 World Cup Ronaldo said: “The best timing is my timing” as he arrived in Qatar with his career in turmoil, about to leave Manchester United to play in Saudi Arabia. Against Slovenia, just as in the previous three games, his shooting was off kilter and his headers failed to trouble keeper Jan Oblak while his team mates seemed to be forcing the ball to him, disrupting Portugal’s tempo and slowing them down.

This was the game of my life: Costa

Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa was overwhelmed after he saved all three penalties in a 3-0 shootout win against Slovenia that secured a place in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024.

The match had finished 0-0 after extra time and Costa was the hero after becoming the first keeper to save three penalties and also not concede a goal in a Euros shootout. “I think this was the game of my life,” he told reporters. “Maybe the game where I was most useful. I am very, very happy and I am also very excited that I helped the team.”

However, Slovenia goalkeeper Jan Oblak produced a spectacular save to deny the Portugal captain, leaving Ronaldo visibly emotional and in floods of tears. “Cristiano is the hardest worker. I understand how frustrated he is, he devotes all his time to this”, Costa said.—