Diogo Costa became the first goalkeeper to save three penalties in a Euro penalty shootout
Portugal are through to the quarter-finals of the Euro 2024 thanks to a 3-0 penalty shootout victory over feisty Slovenia in Frankfurt, Germany last night.
Diogo Costa put on a performance for the ages, becoming the first goalkeeper to save three penalties in a Euro knockout stage after thwarting Josip Iličić, Jure Balkovec and Benjamin Verbic. He had already kept Portugal in the game earlier during overtime, using his left foot to stop what would have likely been the winning goal by Benjamin Sesko after an unusual mistake by 41-year-old Pepe.
“We played very well,” said Portugal’s manager Roberto Martínez after the match, a statement that has not gone over well with many fans. While Portugal did control the match with 72% ball possession, the team once again showed huge difficulties trying to break down a solid defensive line. Clear scoring chances were few and far between, although Cristiano Ronaldo did have a fair share of free kicks during the first 90 minutes which he was unable to convert, followed by an extra time penalty which Slovenian goalkeeper Jan Oblak denied just before the extra time break. Ronaldo – who later admitted that this will be his last Euro competition – broke down in tears right after, having to be consoled by his teammates and manager before the start of the second half of extra time. The Portuguese star was able to redeem himself in the penalty shootout, scoring the first of Portugal’s three penalties (Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva also scored theirs).
Next up for Portugal in the quarter-finals is France, one of the clear favourites to win the Euro 2024 – and a team which has already dashed Portugal’s hopes of winning major tournaments in the past, having knocked Portugal out of the Euro 2000 and World Cup 2006 in the semi-finals. Portugal, on the other hand, won the Euro 2016 against France in… Paris. Kick-off is scheduled for Friday, July 5 at 8pm (Lisbon time).
michael.bruxo@portugalresident.com
