Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa saved three Slovenia penalties to earn his side a 3-0 shoot-out victory against Slovenia after Cristiano Ronaldo missed a penalty in the first period of extra-time, reported Reuters.
The match had finished 0-0 and Costa secured a place for Portugal in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024.
Costa became the first keeper to save three penalties and also not concede a goal in a Euros shootout.
“I think this is probably the best game of my life, maybe the game I was most useful in,” Costa told reporters.
Costa stated that he was trying to read and recognize the body language of the Slovenia penalty takers but in the end, he had to go with his gut.
“I just went with my gut, of course we analyzed the shooters, but players change their minds, and they change the way they shoot,” Costa said.
The match was goalless till 90 minutes. Ronaldo had the chance to secure progress from the penalty spot in the first half of extra time. However, Slovenia goalkeeper Jan Oblak made a stunning save to deny the Portugal captain. Therefore, Ronaldo was left in tears and intensified emotions.
“Cristiano is the hardest worker. I understand how frustrated he is, he devotes all his time to this”, Costa said.
“We felt that we needed to keep believing. Everybody makes mistakes. But important is what we do after making these mistakes”, he added.
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