Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo was delighted after they defeated Slovenia by 3-0 on penalties in the round of 16 of Euro 2024 at the Deutsche Bank Park on Monday. After a goalless 90 minutes, Ronaldo missed a penalty at the end of the first phase of extra time after Diogo Jota was brought down in the box.
Ronaldo was seen in tears after he missed from the spot kick, which he hardly does. However, CR7 was the first to turn up for Portugal in the penalty shootout but this time he made no mistake as he was able to find the back of the net. Portugal’s goalkeeper Diogo Costa was brilliant between the sticks, saving all of Slovenia’s three attempts in the shootout.
“Sadness at the start is joy at the end,” Ronaldo said in an on-field interview following the final whistle. “That’s what football is. Moments, inexplicable moments.
“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.”
Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva also scored for Portugal to help them qualify for the quarterfinal. Ronaldo said they deserved to win as they dominated the contest.
“I think Portugal deserved it because we had more authority,” Ronaldo said. “Slovenia spent almost the entire game defending … It’s very difficult and the whole team is to be congratulated, especially our goalkeeper [Costa], who made three very good saves.”
Portugal’s head coach Roberto Martinez showered praise on Ronaldo for his contribution and for taking the onus on his shoulder in the shootout.
“He’s an example for us,” Portugal coach Roberto Martinez said of Ronaldo in his postmatch news conference. “Those emotions [after missing the penalty] are incredible. He doesn’t need to care that much after the career he has had and everything he has achieved.
“After missing the penalty, he was the first penalty taker. I was certain he had to be first and show us the way to victory. The way he reacted is an example, and we’re very proud.”
Portugal will next take on France, against whom they would won the 2016 Euro title in the final, in the quarterfinal.
