Two Sides of a Penalty - Ronaldo to Costa!

Diogo Costa delivered what could be considered the greatest performance by a goalkeeper in modern history on Monday, playing a pivotal role in Portugal's dramatic victory over Slovenia to advance to the Euro 2024 quarterfinals.

On the flip side, Cristiano Ronaldo's goalless run through the group stages and into the knockout rounds of Euro 2024 has been a major talking point, exacerbated by the sheer number of missed opportunities.

Costa's heroics included four game-changing saves, one in extra time and three in the penalty shootout, marking an unprecedented achievement in the tournament's history.

Ronaldo with his three misses in the Round of 16 win over Slovenia and his extra-time penalty miss — has now missed 20 shots, nine of which were on target, across the tournament's four games thus far.

Costa became the first goalkeeper in Euro history to save three penalties while keeping a clean sheet through 120 minutes.

Additionally, he joined an elite group of players who have saved three penalties in major tournaments, including the World Cup.

Costa's brilliance also shielded his captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, from significant criticism.

Ronaldo missed a crucial penalty in extra time, which could have led to an upset loss for Portugal.

Ronaldo's struggles have placed him fourth on the list of players with the most missed shots since the 1980 Euros:

However, in the shootout, Costa's remarkable saves against Josip Iličić, Jure Balkovec, and Benjamin Verbič secured Portugal's progression.

At 39, Ronaldo's current slump can't be attributed to a decline in athleticism or age.

In the match against Slovenia, he showed glimpses of his prime form, effortlessly outpacing defenders and creating separation.

Ronaldo's missed penalty in extra time seemed to encapsulate his frustrations, leading to an emotional outpouring post-match.

"Even the strongest people have their [bad] days," Ronaldo said.

"I was at rock bottom when the team needed me the most. Sadness at the start is joy at the end. That's what football is. Moments, inexplicable moments. I feel sad and happy at the same time. But the important thing is to enjoy it."

After the match, Costa described it as the "best game" and the highlight of his young career.

When asked about his strategy during the penalty shootout, Costa emphasized his reliance on instincts.

"No, we analyzed the penalty-takers, of course, but players are substituted and they also change the way they shoot. I went with my gut," he told reporters.

"The important thing is the work you put in and then trusting yourself. I believe in the hard work I do. Work, work, work. That comes first and sometimes you reap the fruits."

On Friday, Ronaldo, Costa, and Portugal will now face a formidable challenge against France in the quarterfinals.

This match is a rematch of the 2016 Euro finals, adding another layer of excitement to an already thrilling tournament.