Euro 2024: Diogo Costa Heroics In Penalty Shootout Steal Jan Oblak’s European Glory, Portugal In Quarterfinals

The Portugal vs Slovenia group of 16 game is only about one of the top ranked goalkeepers in the world: Jan Oblac, not about Cristiano Ronaldo or Bruno Fernandes or Pepe. He had the game of all the games today in Frankfurt.

But, the deceit of the deceits and a heroic performance from another goalkeeper denied him the glory. Diogo Costa’s exceptional hattrick saves helped the Portuguese to advance to the quarterfinals of the Euro 2024.

The game was drama in its best. It wouldn’t get better than this. There was a moment when 39-year old football legend and five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo was seen crying incessantly. It was after Oblak valiantly stopped his penalty shoot at the last minutes of the game. But, when the penalty shootout was on, he beat Oblak and then he was seen with am apology gesture, obviously for not scoring his first penalty.

Considered one of the best goalkeepers globally and the same has been validated by many football experts, Oblak did everything to stop Cristiano Ronaldo and co from having a walkover.

The Atletico Madrid goalkeeper, probably the only footballer a follower of professional football in Europe might recognise from the glorious 2024 Euro team of Slovenia, shined with all his traits he is known for: speed, reflexes, agility, and game reading. His handling of an important penalty during minutes of the regulation time, his positioning, footwork, shot-stopping, and leadership inspired a national team whom nothing in their honours except competing in group stages only once in Euro before this after they were formed in 1991 after Yugoslavia was broke up.

Then there is the heroics of Diogo Costa, the Portuguese keeper. It was not his three consecutive saves that was the best thing about the game. He was really a life saver for the Portuguese during the regulation time as well.

Now, France and Portugal will lock horns in the quarterfinals. That means, it is going to be an Mbappe vs Ronaldo for greatness.