Cristiano Ronaldo on pain and joy of Portugal penalty roller-coaster at Euro 2024 - ‘I was at rock bottom’

Cristiano Ronaldo had an eventful evening against Slovenia in the last 16 of Euro 2024 on Monday. The 39-year-old Portugal captain was left in tears after his potentially decisive penalty was saved in extra-time, a moment that left him "at rock bottom." But he bounced back to score in a shootout victory that sent his side through to face France in the quarter-finals.

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Cristiano Ronaldo says he was at “rock bottom” when a saved penalty in extra-time left him in tears, but praised his Portugal team-mates for an “extraordinary job” after beating Slovenia in a shootout to reach the Euro 2024 quarter-finals.

The Slovenians pushed Ronaldo and his team-mates all the way in an engrossing last 16 encounter that finished 0-0 after 90 minutes.

It looked like the decisive moment might have arrived in the first half of extra-time when Portugal were awarded a penalty, but Ronaldo’s effort was superbly saved by Jan Oblak.

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The error left the 39-year-old in tears at the break, but he dusted himself down to score the opening spot kick in a 3-0 shootout win that set up a last-eight tie with France.

"Even the strongest people have their [bad] days. I was at rock bottom when the team needed me the most," said Ronaldo.

"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. The team did an extraordinary job. We fought right to the end and I think we deserved it because we had more authority."

The Portuguese hero in the shootout was goalkeeper Diogo Costa, who saved three in a row to send his country through.

But the Porto shot-stopper also had words of support for his captain.

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"We all know that Cristiano is the hardest worker," said Costa.

"I understand how frustrated he is because he devotes all his time to this. It’s a pleasure and an honour to be on the same team as him.

"We're a family, I really think this. I focus on making the best of these chances and I wanted to help the team. This is the most important thing. This is probably the best game of my life."

Portugal struggled to break down a resilient Slovenian defence during their meeting, while being carved open on the counter-attack on a couple of occasions.

Costa bailed them out with a huge save on Benjamin Sesko in extra-time when one-on-one with the RB Leipzig striker.

But Roberto Martinez’s side did enough to move into the next round, and the manager singled out Ronaldo for praise afterwards.

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"When you see a player, the only player to play in six Euros, with the desire and that belief [like a] young man - those emotions are incredible for someone who has won everything and experienced everything," said Martinez.

"He doesn't need to care that much and that is why I thank him for the way he is. For caring for the group. For being someone who after missing a penalty was the first penalty taker [in the shootout].

"I knew for certain he had to be the first penalty taker and show us the way to the victory. We are all very, very proud of our captain.

"The dressing room was delighted and I think he gave us a lesson in having real high standards and never giving up. Life and football give you difficult moments and he is an example that we are really proud of in Portuguese football."

Portugal face France in Hamburg on Friday, June 5.

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