Cristiano Ronaldo (C) of Portugal vies with Slovenia's goalkeeper Jan Oblak (R) and Benjamin Sesko during the UEFA Euro 2024 Round of 16 match between Portugal and Slovenia in Frankfurt, Germany on July 1, 2024. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)
FRANKFURT, Germany, July 1 (Xinhua) -- Cristiano Ronaldo experienced an emotional rollercoaster as Portugal survived Slovenia in a penalty shootout in the Euro 2024 Round of 16 on Monday.
In a dramatic and gripping match, Ronaldo missed a penalty in extra time, shedding tears on the pitch, but redeemed himself by scoring the first penalty in the shootout.
With goalkeeper Diogo Costa's three consecutive saves, Portugal triumphed 3-0 over Slovenia to advance to the quarterfinals.
Portugal will face tournament favorites France in the next round, who narrowly defeated Belgium 1-0 in an earlier match the same day.
Costa, currently playing for Porto, was undoubtedly the hero of the match as he saved three penalties in a row from Josip Ilicic, Jure Balkovec, and Benjamin Verbic.
Meanwhile, his teammates Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, and Bernardo Silva converted their penalties, securing Portugal's 3-0 victory and a spot in the quarterfinals.
"This might be the best match of my career so far. I focused on my tasks on the pitch," the 24-year-old Costa said in a post-match interview. "I trusted my gut during the penalty shootout. Of course, we had analyzed the shooters, but players often change their minds on the field, so I trusted my gut."
In addition to his heroics in the penalty shootout, Costa made a crucial save in the final stages of extra time, denying a one-on-one opportunity from Slovenia's forward Benjamin Sesko.
"Costa is our secret weapon. He showed his strength today," Portugal coach Roberto Martinez praised Costa.
Before Costa's stellar performance, captain Ronaldo had a chance to score the winning goal, but his penalty was saved by Slovenian goalkeeper Jan Oblak. After missing the penalty, a tearful Ronaldo was comforted by teammates and coaching staff, while Portuguese fans chanted "Viva Ronaldo" to support the 39-year-old veteran.
"This match took me from extreme sorrow to extreme joy. This is football. You can't explain it," Ronaldo said in a post-match interview. "I had the chance to decide the game, but I missed, and Oblak made a fantastic save."
Wiping away his tears, Ronaldo continued to play and stepped up first in the penalty shootout, confidently scoring his penalty.
Ronaldo, the all-time best scorer of the tournament who is playing his record sixth Euro Championships, has yet to find the net during this edition.
"Ronaldo missed the penalty, but in the shootout, he was the first to step up and lead us to victory. This was a team victory, from the dressing room to the pitch. Ronaldo is our captain, and he shows us, both on and off the field, that even in the toughest times, we should never give up," Martinez said about Ronaldo. ■
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal kisses the ball before taking a penalty kick during the UEFA Euro 2024 Round of 16 match between Portugal and Slovenia in Frankfurt, Germany on July 1, 2024. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)
Cristiano Ronaldo (C) of Portugal reacts after the UEFA Euro 2024 Round of 16 match between Portugal and Slovenia in Frankfurt, Germany on July 1, 2024. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)
Cristiano Ronaldo (C) of Portugal vies with Slovenia's goalkeeper Jan Oblak (R) and Benjamin Sesko during the UEFA Euro 2024 Round of 16 match between Portugal and Slovenia in Frankfurt, Germany on July 1, 2024. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)
Players of Portugal celebrate after the UEFA Euro 2024 Round of 16 match between Portugal and Slovenia in Frankfurt, Germany on July 1, 2024. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)
Cristiano Ronaldo (front) of Portugal takes a penalty kick during the UEFA Euro 2024 Round of 16 match between Portugal and Slovenia in Frankfurt, Germany on July 1, 2024. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal prepares before taking a penalty kick during the UEFA Euro 2024 Round of 16 match between Portugal and Slovenia in Frankfurt, Germany on July 1, 2024. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)
Slovenia's goalkeeper Jan Oblak (R) and Portugal's goalkeeper Diogo da Costa change position in the penalty shootout during the UEFA Euro 2024 Round of 16 match between Portugal and Slovenia in Frankfurt, Germany on July 1, 2024. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)
Pepe of Portugal gets injured during the UEFA Euro 2024 Round of 16 match between Portugal and Slovenia in Frankfurt, Germany on July 1, 2024. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)
Fans of Portugal celebrate after the UEFA Euro 2024 Round of 16 match between Portugal and Slovenia in Frankfurt, Germany on July 1, 2024. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)
Cristiano Ronaldo (L) of Portugal reacts after his penalty kick is saved by Slovenia's goalkeeper Jan Oblak during the UEFA Euro 2024 Round of 16 match between Portugal and Slovenia in Frankfurt, Germany on July 1, 2024. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)
Pepe (L) of Portugal vies for a header during the UEFA Euro 2024 Round of 16 match between Portugal and Slovenia in Frankfurt, Germany on July 1, 2024. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal shoots the first penalty kick in the penalty shootout during the UEFA Euro 2024 Round of 16 match between Portugal and Slovenia in Frankfurt, Germany on July 1, 2024. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)
Pepe (L) of Portugal vies with Benjamin Sesko of Slovenia during the UEFA Euro 2024 Round of 16 match between Portugal and Slovenia in Frankfurt, Germany on July 1, 2024. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)
Vitinha (L) of Portugal vies with Timi Max Elsnik of Slovenia during the UEFA Euro 2024 Round of 16 match between Portugal and Slovenia in Frankfurt, Germany on July 1, 2024. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)
Pepe (front L) of Portugal competes during the UEFA Euro 2024 Round of 16 match between Portugal and Slovenia in Frankfurt, Germany on July 1, 2024. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)
Joao Palhinha (bottom) of Portugal vies with Benjamin Sesko (L) of Slovenia during the UEFA Euro 2024 Round of 16 match between Portugal and Slovenia in Frankfurt, Germany on July 1, 2024. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)
Cristiano Ronaldo (front) of Portugal gets ready to take a free kick during the UEFA Euro 2024 Round of 16 match between Portugal and Slovenia in Frankfurt, Germany on July 1, 2024. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)
Joao Cancelo (C) of Portugal celebrates with his daughter after the UEFA Euro 2024 Round of 16 match between Portugal and Slovenia in Frankfurt, Germany on July 1, 2024. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)
Cristiano Ronaldo (front) of Portugal takes a free kick during the UEFA Euro 2024 Round of 16 match between Portugal and Slovenia in Frankfurt, Germany on July 1, 2024. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)
Pepe (L) of Portugal vies for the ball during the UEFA Euro 2024 Round of 16 match between Portugal and Slovenia in Frankfurt, Germany on July 1, 2024. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)
Players of Portugal celebrate after the UEFA Euro 2024 Round of 16 match between Portugal and Slovenia in Frankfurt, Germany on July 1, 2024. (Xinhua/Ren Pengfei)
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal reacts after missing a chance to score during the UEFA Euro 2024 Round of 16 match between Portugal and Slovenia in Frankfurt, Germany on July 1, 2024. (Xinhua/Ren Pengfei)
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal gestures during the UEFA Euro 2024 Round of 16 match between Portugal and Slovenia in Frankfurt, Germany on July 1, 2024. (Xinhua/Ren Pengfei)
Petar Stojanovic (front) of Slovenia vies for a header with Nuno Mendes of Portugal during the UEFA Euro 2024 Round of 16 match between Portugal and Slovenia in Frankfurt, Germany on July 1, 2024. (Xinhua/Ren Pengfei)
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal falls during the UEFA Euro 2024 Round of 16 match between Portugal and Slovenia in Frankfurt, Germany on July 1, 2024. (Xinhua/Ren Pengfei)
Cristiano Ronaldo (top) of Portugal heads for the ball to shoot during the UEFA Euro 2024 Round of 16 match between Portugal and Slovenia in Frankfurt, Germany on July 1, 2024. (Xinhua/Ren Pengfei)
Joao Cancelo (R) of Portugal vies with Benjamin Sesko of Slovenia during the UEFA Euro 2024 Round of 16 match between Portugal and Slovenia in Frankfurt, Germany on July 1, 2024. (Xinhua/Ren Pengfei)
Cristiano Ronaldo (R) of Portugal shoots during the UEFA Euro 2024 Round of 16 match between Portugal and Slovenia in Frankfurt, Germany on July 1, 2024. (Xinhua/Ren Pengfei)
Players of Slovenia greet the spectators after the UEFA Euro 2024 Round of 16 match between Portugal and Slovenia in Frankfurt, Germany on July 1, 2024. (Xinhua/Ren Pengfei)
Fans of Slovenia cheers for the team during the UEFA Euro 2024 Round of 16 match between Portugal and Slovenia in Frankfurt, Germany on July 1, 2024. (Xinhua/Ren Pengfei)
Adam Gnezda Cerin of Slovenia vies for a header during the UEFA Euro 2024 Round of 16 match between Portugal and Slovenia in Frankfurt, Germany on July 1, 2024. (Xinhua/Ren Pengfei)
Diogo Jota (L) of Portugal vies with Timi Max Elsnik of Slovenia during the UEFA Euro 2024 Round of 16 match between Portugal and Slovenia in Frankfurt, Germany on July 1, 2024. (Xinhua/Ren Pengfei)
Cristiano Ronaldo (1st L) of Portugal takes a free kick during the UEFA Euro 2024 Round of 16 match between Portugal and Slovenia in Frankfurt, Germany on July 1, 2024. (Xinhua/Ren Pengfei)
Francisco Conceicao (R) of Portugal vies with Zan Karnicnik of Slovenia during the UEFA Euro 2024 Round of 16 match between Portugal and Slovenia in Frankfurt, Germany on July 1, 2024. (Xinhua/Ren Pengfei)
Benjamin Verbic (C) of Slovenia shoots during the UEFA Euro 2024 Round of 16 match between Portugal and Slovenia in Frankfurt, Germany on July 1, 2024. (Xinhua/Ren Pengfei)
Pepe (L) of Portugal vies for a header with Benjamin Sesko of Slovenia during the UEFA Euro 2024 Round of 16 match between Portugal and Slovenia in Frankfurt, Germany on July 1, 2024. (Xinhua/Ren Pengfei)
Cristiano Ronaldo (2nd R) of Portugal heads for the ball to shoot during the UEFA Euro 2024 Round of 16 match between Portugal and Slovenia in Frankfurt, Germany on July 1, 2024. (Xinhua/Ren Pengfei)
Cristiano Ronaldo (R) of Portugal vies for the ball during the UEFA Euro 2024 Round of 16 match between Portugal and Slovenia in Frankfurt, Germany on July 1, 2024. (Xinhua/Ren Pengfei)
Players of Slovenia greet spectators after the UEFA Euro 2024 Round of 16 match between Portugal and Slovenia in Frankfurt, Germany on July 1, 2024. (Xinhua/Ren Pengfei)
Cristiano Ronaldo (2nd L) of Portugal warms up before the UEFA Euro 2024 Round of 16 match between Portugal and Slovenia in Frankfurt, Germany on July 1, 2024. (Xinhua/Ren Pengfei)
