By Mayowa Oyebamiji
Cristiano Ronaldo was left in tears after his penalty was saved in extra time but Portugal stillprogressed to the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 following a dramatic shootout victory overSlovenia.
Portugal’s superstar captain saw his penalty kept out by Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblakand he was consoled by his team-mates, as fans chanted his name in the stands.
But he recovered to score his country’s first penalty in the shootout, where goalkeeper Diogo Costa saved all three kicks he faced, before Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva netted the winning kick.C.Ronaldo was involved in the thick of it throughout the night as he searched for his first goal at Euro 2024.
Before his penalty was tipped on to the post, he wasted a golden opportunity in the final minute of normal time, drilling his shot straight at Oblak, having seen countless crosses fly over his head throughout 120 minutes of blockbuster action.
Eventually, Portugal’s persistence paid off as Slovenia crumbled in the shootout and Costa’sheroics ensured Ronaldo’s Euro dream continued.
Slovenia, who defended with grit and resilience, had chances of their own and will regret Benjamin Sesko failing to score when one-on-one with Portugal goalkeeper Costa, who made afine save with his foot, in the final minutes of extra time.
Portugal now play France in the quarter-finals in Hamburg on Friday, while Slovenia leave the competition in the cruelest of manners. That’s football for you!