It was a roller coaster of emotions for Cristiano Ronaldo as his side progressed to the quarter finals of Euro 2024 by the barest of margins on Monday.
Following France’s 1-0 win over Belgium, Portugal defeated Slovenia 3-0 on penalties on Monday after a goalless draw at the end of extra time.
Roberto Martinez’s side had to make use of the shootout to get over the line despite having 20 attempts on goal and over 70% of the possession across the two hours of football in Frankfurt.
39-year-old Ronaldo was reduced to tears in extra time after Jan Oblak denied the all-time great from the spot.
It was Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa that would have the final laugh between the sticks though, with the 24-year-old keeping out three Slovenian penalties to help Portugal into the last eight.
Ronaldo made up for his miss by stepping up to score the first penalty in the shootout, giving his side the advantage.
Costa became the first keeper to save three penalties in a Euro shootout; and he was only the fourth to do so in a match at a major international tournament.
Portugal will make their seventh appearance in the quarter finals of the European championships — which is more than any another side.
They will take on France in the last eight on Friday.
Pictured above: Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal following their penalty shootout win over Slovenia.
Image source: @cristiano
