European Championship round of sixteen - First sad, then overjoyed: Ronaldo's evening of extremes
These pictures of Cristiano Ronaldo are going viral once again. Confident before the penalty kick, lying down after the penalty kick, crying on the grass, celebrating after the penalty shootout. Even for the 39-year-old superstar, this EURO night in Frankfurt, where he even apologized to his own fans with a humble gesture, was something special.
"Naturally, I was incredibly sad and then overjoyed. That's football. You can't explain what happens. Sometimes everything or nothing, it always happens again. Then fate and luck turn," said Ronaldo immediately after Portugal's 3:0 victory in the penalty shootout against Slovenia. The captain had given away the spot kick in extra time and then converted the first penalty kick for Portugal in the penalty shootout.
Ronaldo congratulates the match winner
"Everyone can make mistakes. The important thing is what we do after the mistake. We believed in ourselves and that's what we did. We're happy now," said goalkeeper Diogo Costa, who wrote EURO history with three saved penalties and became the big match winner. As a hero, Costa didn't see himself. In the press conference room, he forgot the trophy, which he had received as Player of the Match, at first.
On Friday (21.00 hours), it goes to the quarterfinals in Hamburg with the giant duel against Vice-World Champion France and Kylian Mbappé. "We made it through, we had to work hard, we did it well and deserved to win. Good luck also to Diogo Costa, who saved three penalties," said Ronaldo.
- Despite Portugal's 3:0 victory over Slovenia in the Round of sixteen, the game was particularly special for Cristiano Ronaldo in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
- Ronaldo's confident demeanor before the penalty kick contrasted heavily with his emotional reaction afterwards, lying on the lawn and shedding tears.
- The EURO night in Frankfurt was memorable for Ronaldo, who even apologized to his own fans with a humble gesture, following a mistake during a penalty kick.
- In the penalty shootout, Cristiano Ronaldo successfully converted the first penalty kick for Portugal, showing resilience and determination, despite his earlier error.
- Frankfurt am Main, Hesse, Germany was the setting for the drama that unfolded during Portugal's EURO match against Slovenia, where Ronaldo played a vital role.
- Goalkeeper Diogo Costa, who saved three penalties and became the match winner, praised the team's mentality, saying that it's not about blaming oneself for mistakes, but about moving forward and believing in one's abilities.
- Portugal's next challenge in the tournament will be against Vice-World Champion France and Kylian Mbappé in Hamburg, with Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates hoping for more success.
