A match of epic personal drama and tears for Cristiano Ronaldo ended with his Portugal side advancing to the quarter-finals of the European Championship after beating Slovenia on penalties on Monday.
The round of 16 match was decided in a penalty shoot-out, as Ronaldo's extra-time spot-kick in the 114th minute was saved by Slovenian goalkeeper Jan Oblak. Regulation and extra time ended 0-0.
When the teams went to penalties, Ronaldo scored his and Portugal's first, and teammate Diogo Costa saved all three of Slovenia's shots, from Josip Ilicic, Jure Balkovec and Benjamin Verbič.
“Sadness at the beginning is joy at the end,” Ronaldo said in an interview on the pitch after the final whistle. “That's football. Moments, inexplicable moments.”
“A direct shot to put the team ahead. I didn't get it. Oblak made a good save… I have to see the penalty, I don't know if I shot well or badly, but I haven't missed a single shot all year and when I needed it most, Oblak saved it.”
Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva also scored for Portugal as they sealed the shootout 3-0 with two shots remaining.
“I think Portugal deserved it because we had more authority,” Ronaldo said. “Slovenia spent almost the entire match defending… It's very difficult and we have to congratulate the whole team, especially our goalkeeper.” [Costa]who made three very good saves.”
Portugal will face France in the quarter-finals on Friday in Hamburg, a rematch of the 2016 final which Portugal won in Paris.
“He's an example for us,” Portuguese coach Roberto Martinez said of Ronaldo in his post-match press conference. “Those emotions [after missing the penalty] They're amazing. It shouldn't matter so much to him after the career he's had and everything he's accomplished.
“After missing the penalty, he was the first to take it. He was sure that he had to be the first and show us the way to victory. His reaction is an example and we are very proud.”
Ronaldo, 39, went into the Euro 2024 match without scoring.
The moment he surely became the oldest player to score in a European Championship finals came in the first period of extra time, in the 105th minute, after missing five or six of the chances he has taken over 20 years.
Portugal had been awarded a penalty and Ronaldo stepped up to score what could have been the decisive goal.
Instead, Oblak, a long-time rival from his time playing in LaLiga in Madrid, dived to his left to deflect the shot just wide of the post and out of harm's way.
Tears welled up in Ronaldo's eyes and were soon to flow during the break before the start of the second half of extra time. His teammates consoled him, kissed his forehead and encouraged him to carry on.
Ronaldo's mother was at the stadium and television images also showed her crying after the missed penalty.
Extra time also ended 0-0 and when the penalty shoot-out began, Slovenia's first shot was saved by Costa.
Ronaldo stepped into a crowd of Portuguese fans and placed the ball perfectly low, beyond Oblak, who dived to his right.
Ronaldo looked apologetically at the fans and clasped his hands together as if in prayer. The fans responded with a shout of “Siuuuu,” the signature cry of their football idol.
The intense drama of extra time followed a frustrating first 90 minutes for Ronaldo.
After three free kicks and two headers that were out of time, the Portuguese star looked certain to score with his first clear chance of a shot in play.
It came in the 89th minute, when he made a smooth run towards goal and received a perfect pass. The left-footed shot was low and powerful, but Oblak's block was better. Ronaldo again raised his arms in exasperation.
Portugal remain in the running to regain the European title they also won in 2016, at the expense of an admirable Slovenia who were virtually unbeaten after drawing all four of their matches at Euro 2024.
“His emotions show respect for Slovenia,” coach Matjaz Kek said of Ronaldo, “and that's what I'm happy with.”
Information from ESPN's Rob Dawson, Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
