Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa said he had the best game of his life against Slovenia on Monday, stopping three penalties to send his side into the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 alongside France.
After a goalless draw for 120 minutes in the last 16 match in Frankfurt, the Porto goalkeeper – born in Switzerland, in Rothrist (AG) to be precise, on 19 September 1999 – saved three Slovenian penalties to allow his team to win 3-0 in the decisive session.
The 24-year-old also made a crucial one-on-one save with his foot in the second period of extra time when Slovenian Benjamin Sesko came up against him following a big defensive error by Pepe.
“I think it’s probably the best game of my life, maybe the game in which I’ve been most useful,” Costa told reporters. “Players change their minds and change the way they shoot. I had to follow my instincts, that’s what I felt. I’m very, very happy that I was able to help the team.”
Costa was delighted that Ronaldo recovered and scored after his 105th-minute penalty miss left the superstar in tears.
“We all felt that we had to keep believing,” Costa added. “Me and Cristiano, everyone makes mistakes, but the most important thing is how we react after those mistakes. We had to believe in ourselves and that’s what we did.”
Selecao coach Roberto Martinez said Ronaldo’s emotions showed how much he still cared about staying in contention at his sixth European Championship, despite a long and illustrious career.
“The emotions are incredible for someone who has done so much, that’s why I thank him. Only penalty takers can miss a penalty,” Martinez said. “I knew he had to be the first taker (during the penalty shootout) and show us the way to victory. Everyone is very proud of our captain. He teaches us all a lesson, that of being very demanding and never giving up.”
Midfielder Palhinha praised Portugal’s “collective effort and unity” “until the end”, after “a lot of suffering”, as well as Cristiano Ronaldo’s reaction following his first missed penalty.
“The team is always with him. He has already scored so many penalties, and he has achieved so much in football… He had the courage to take the ball and score during the session,” he said.
Regarding the quarter-final against France, the Portuguese player anticipates “a different match” against “an excellent team that doesn’t even need to be introduced”, and a “50/50” regarding his team’s chances of going through to the semi-final.
