Cristiano Ronaldo was left in tears as Jan Oblak saved his penalty kick in extra time between Portugal and Slovenia.
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The last 16 clash became a direct battle between the captain of Slovenia and the captain of Portugal. And the former won.
A visibly emotional Ronaldo had to be consoled by his teammates as he had been denied all night long by Oblak.
What happened?
After Diogo Jota ran in on goal and straight at Drkusic who couldn’t get out of the way and caught him, a penalty kick was given just before half time in extra time with the score locked at 0-0.
Up stepped Cristiano Ronaldo.
But Oblak pulled off an amazing save as he was at full-stretch to his left to get a touch on the ball and it hit the post and went out.
What a brilliant save from Jan Oblak to deny that penalty kick from Cristiano Ronaldo. Full stretch and tips the ball against the post. Slovenia's captain denies Portugal's captain. #EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/UCMGiJd7MN
— Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) July 1, 2024
Cristiano Ronaldo reacts to penalty miss, Portugal win
Here are Ronaldo’s post-game thoughts, translated on the FOX broadcast:
“At first I was sad and now I’m overjoyed. This is what football gives you. You can’t explain this, it goes from 8 to 80. We had a chance to go ahead. I failed. Oblak defended. I need to see this again. I don’t know if I hit it right or not. When I needed it most, I failed after not having failed before in penalty kicks. Now I feel sad but happy as well but it’s important to enjoy progressing. We’re doing a great job. We’re here until the better end. We had more chances. We deserved this. Slovenia defended throughout the game and I think we’re all to be congratulated, especially our goalkeeper.
