Cristiano Ronaldo’s missed penalty didn’t hold him back from taking the first attempt in the penalty shootout against Slovenia’s Jan Oblak.
During Portugal’s Euro 2024 round of 16 encounter against Slovenia, Cristiano Ronaldo experienced a roller coaster of emotions.
After a scoreless draw, the game proceeded into overtime, and early in the first half, Slovenian goalkeeper Jan Oblak stopped Ronaldo’s penalty. The 39-year-old broke down in tears following the first half of extra time as a result.
The match had to be settled by a penalty shootout, and Ronaldo went up to take the first shot for Portugal. Oblak went the right way again, but this time Ronaldo was able to put it out of the goalkeeper’s grasp in the bottom left. Ronaldo celebrated by folding his hands together and holding them sheepishly to the Portugal supporters behind the goal.
“A direct shot to give the team the lead. I didn’t manage it. Oblak made a good save. … I have to see the penalty, I don’t know if I shot well or badly, but I haven’t missed once all year, and when I needed it most, Oblak saved it.”
Diogo Costa, Portugal’s goalkeeper, was the shootout hero as he saved all three Slovenian penalties. Ronaldo was spotted hugging Costa following Portugal’s triumph, which clinched a meeting with two-time champions France.
“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.”
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Costa claimed he understood Ronaldo’s frustration after missing the spot in extra time. He stated that it is an honour to play in the same team as the Real Madrid legend.
“We all know that Cris (Ronaldo) is the hardest worker. I understand how frustrated he is because he devotes all his time to this. For me, it’s an honour to play on the same team. We’re a family, I believe in the work we put in,” he said.