Goalkeeper Diogo Costa saved the day for Portugal after Cristiano Ronaldo missed a penalty in the Euro 2024 round of 16 clash in Frankfurt. The 57th-ranked Slovenia gave Portugal a scare but Ronaldo has one more shot at glory after. Portugal advanced to the quarterfinals with a 3-0 win on penalties.
Ronaldo was emotional when he missed the penalty in the 105th minute. He would have become the oldest player ever to score in Euro finals tournament had he found the back of the net but Slovenia goalkeeper Jan Oblak timed the dive to perfection to pull off a stunning save.
“Sometimes it's hard and difficult to score penalties," Ronaldo told Portuguese broadcaster RTP after the match, getting emotional again. “I've scored more than 200 penalties in my career. Sometimes it's a mess.”
Ronaldo had several chances to score whether it was with a header or via free kick. But he had an off day. He cried and apologised to fans after missing the penalty. He was consoled by teammates and fans. The legendary forward finally delivered when he scored from the spot during penalty shootout to get a lead for his side.
“I was certain that he had to be the first penalty taker and show us the way to victory,” Portugal coach Roberto Martinez said. “Life gives you difficult moments and the way he reacted makes us very proud.”
Slovenia's emerging star Benjamin Sesko had a chance to get his side in front but he missed them despite going one-on-one against Costa after beating defender Pepe. But Slovenia coach Roberto Martinez did not blame
“I was certain that he had to be the first penalty taker and show us the way to victory,” Martinez said. “Life gives you difficult moments and the way he reacted makes us very proud.”
After Ronaldo scored, Bruna Fernandes and Bernardo Silva scored as well. But Costa stole the show when he stopped kicks from Josip Ilicic, Jure Balkovec and Benjamin Verbic.
Mbappe struggles but France into quarterfinals
In the other round of 16 clash, Kylian Mbappe had a frustrating outing as well but France still managed to stay alive in the tournament. An own goal after defelction from Randal Kolo Muani's shot helped France defeat neighbours Belgium 1-0.
Out of France's 19 shots on the goal, a black mask-clad Mbappe had five but could not covert any of them. He could not break free with Kevin de Bryune in defensive position. De Bryune created a chance for Yannick Carrasco but the shot was blocked by France left back Theo Hernandez.
Muani who came on as a second-staff substitute had a shy at the goal. While Belgium defender Jan Vertonghen tried to deflect it for a corner, it ended up looping over goalkeeper Koen Casteels in the 85th minute.
“I was lucky enough to get my shot on target,” he said. “It was blocked but it went in. We're very, very happy and very, very proud.”
France will now go up against Portugal on July 5.
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