Cristiano Ronaldo went from disappointment to triumph as he atoned for a missed penalty in extra time by scoring in his team’s thrilling shoot-out victory over Slovenia where Diogo Costa turned out to be the hero for the Selecao, Soccernet.football reports.
Portugal met a stiff opposition in Slovenia who remained resolute at the back, thanks to Jan Oblak’s wonderful performance between the sticks and were kept at bay for the full 120 minutes at the Deutsche Bank Park in Frankfurt.
Ronaldo had an opportunity to give Portugal the lead late in the first half of extra time after a penalty was awarded to the Selecao following a foul on Diogo Jota but his shot was brilliantly saved by Oblak.
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The 39-year-old veteran was visibly shaken by that miss and had to be consoled by teammates when the referee’s whistle was blown for half time in extra time. However, he regained his composure in time for the resulting shootout and made no mistake at the second time of asking.
Porto goalkeeper Costa, who produced a crucial save to deny Benjamin Sesko in the second half of extra time, then kept out all three of Slovenia spot-kicks from Josip Ilicic, Jure Balkovec and Benjamin Verbic to send Portugal through to the quarterfinals.
Speaking after the game, Ronaldo reflected on his rollercoaster ride on the night.
“First it was sadness and then it was joy, that’s what football gives you, inexplicable moments, a bit of everything,” he said.
“I didn’t make a single mistake this year and when I needed something the most, Oblak saved it.
“Slovenia spent the whole game defending and when that happens, it all becomes difficult.”
Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez was full of admiration for the efforts of both players.
“Ronaldo missed a penalty and then was decisive when he started the penalty shoot-out, he paved the way,” the gaffer told EURO2024.com.
“It was a victory for unity, from the dressing room and Cristiano is our captain. He showed that in life and in football, there are difficult moments and we can’t give up, we have to keep going and it was a demonstration of what to do when things aren’t going well.”
“We worked very well, the energy, strength and passion in the dressing room to win a game like that is incredible.”
On Diogo Costa, Martinez added: “The secret of Portugal is Diogo Costa, he’s the most hidden secret in European football.
“Today, he appeared on a different level, he was incredible in the one-on-one situation [with Sesko], and then he had the focus and quality to make three consecutive saves in the shootout. We have to be very proud of him.”
Portugal will face France next at the Volksparkstadion in Hamburg on June 5 for a place in the semifinals. It promises to be an enthralling encounter.
