Cristiano Ronaldo’s tears turned into elation as Portugal beat Slovenia on penalties to reach a Euro 2024 quarter-final against France despite the 39-year-old’s missed spot-kick in extra-time.
A sobbing Ronaldo had to be consoled by team-mates after Jan Oblak brilliantly saved his penalty in the 105th minute but, following a gruelling goalless draw, he converted Portugal’s first effort in the shootout as goalkeeper Diogo Costa made saves from Josip Ilicic, Jure Balkovec and Benjamin Verbic to send them through.
Costa’s heroics allowed Bernardo Silva to convert the winning kick after Bruno Fernandes had also scored, and came after a similarly crucial one-on-one save from Benjamin Sesko deep in extra-time as Slovenia came agonisingly close to an historic upset.
Predictably, though, it was Ronaldo who dominated the encounter. The former Manchester United and Real Madrid forward was on a mission to open his account at Euro 2024 having blanked in the group stage and cut an emotionally-charged figure from the start.
His efforts on goal over the course of the 120 minutes, including four unsuccessful free-kicks, all prompted animated reactions but his anger was replaced by devastation after Oblak denied him from the spot shortly before the halfway point of extra-time.
Oblak had also saved from Ronaldo in the 89th minute and the goalkeeper was not the only Slovenia player who shone as the underdogs kept Roberto Martinez’s star-studded side at bay for long periods, demonstrating defensive doggedness and occasional flashes of attacking threat at the other end.
For Portugal, it was left to Costa to ensure Ronaldo’s redemption, the Porto goalkeeper following up his vital save from Sesko with a hat-trick of stops in the shootout to set up a last-eight tie which will pit Ronaldo against Kylian Mbappe in Hamburg on Friday night.
