Besides expressing his faith, Cristiano Ronaldo also asked the audience for forgiveness after missing a penalty kick in extra time. However, the former Manchester United star was spectacularly rescued by goalkeeper Diogo Costa, who made several crucial saves, helping Portugal secure an important victory.
Portugal secured their place in the quarterfinals of Euro 2024 by defeating Slovenia in a thrilling penalty shootout.
The last-16 match between Portugal and Slovenia was decided by penalties, marking the inaugural penalty shootout of this summer’s tournament, following a goalless 90 minutes and extra-time.
Portugal advanced to the next round of the Euros by winning the shootout 3-0.
Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United and Bernardo Silva of Manchester City scored their penalties before Cristiano Ronaldo, who had previously committed an error from the spot in extra time, converted Portugal’s initial penalty.
He appeared to apologise to Portugal fans for his earlier miss when he tucked home his shootout spot-kick
Cristiano Ronaldo looked inconsolable after his extra-time agony
In an extraordinary feat, Diogo Costa prevented not one, but three Slovenian penalties.
Ronaldo’s elite mentality was encapsulated by his immediate apology to the Portugal supporters after he converted his penalty shot in the shootout, following his penalty miss in extra-time.
The 39-year-old immediately acknowledged his error in extra-time by putting his hands up and gesturing towards the supporters behind the goal after slotting his penalty past Jan Oblak.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner was inconsolable after Oblak saved his first penalty of the game. However, the legendary forward was beaming as Portugal advanced to the next round.
On Friday, Roberto Martinez’s team will play France under Didier Deschamps in the Euro 2024 semifinals.