shot-button
Olympic 2024 Olympic 2024
Home > Sports News > Football News > Article > Went with my gut

‘Went with my gut’

Updated on: 03 July,2024 07:00 AM IST  |  Frankfurt (Germany)
AFP |

Portugal ’keeper Diogo Costa, who guessed right and dived perfectly to make three consecutive saves in shootout v Slovenia, says moves were instinctive

‘Went with my gut’

Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa saves a penalty from Slovenia’s Jure Balkovec in Frankfurt. Pic/AFP

Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa said he had the best game of his life against Slovenia on Monday as he saved three penalties to send his team into the Euro 2024 quarter-finals.


After a goalless draw over 120 minutes of the last 16 clash in Frankfurt, Porto goalkeeper Costa produced three saves to thwart Slovenia’s three takers as his team claimed a 3-0 shoot-out win.


Ronaldo misses, then scores


Cristiano Ronaldo, who missed a penalty in extra-time, converted in the shootout along with Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva for Portugal, who face France on Friday in the last eight. 

Cristiano RonaldoCristiano Ronaldo

The 24-year-old also made a vital one-on-one save with his foot in the second period of extra-time when Slovenia’s Benjamin Sesko bore down on his goal following a defensive error. “I think this is probably the best game of my life, maybe the game I was most useful in,” Costa told reporters. 

“I just went with my gut, of course we analysed the shooters, but players change their minds, and they change the way they shoot. I had to go with my gut, that’s what I felt. I am very, very happy, and I am very excited to help the team.” 

Costa said he tried to anticipate what Sesko was going to do for his crucial save near the end of extra-time. 

“I thought ‘I need to stop this, I’ll give it my best effort’. I tried to read his [opponent’s] body language and thankfully, I managed to help the team, which was the key thing,” explained the in-form custodian. Costa was pleased that Ronaldo dusted himself down and scored after his 105th-minute penalty miss that left the superstar striker in tears. 

‘Everyone makes mistakes’

“We all felt we needed to keep believing—myself and Cristiano. Everyone makes mistakes, but the important thing is what we do after these mistakes.”

This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!

Register for FREE
to continue reading !

This is not a paywall.
However, your registration helps us understand your preferences better and enables us to provide insightful and credible journalism for all our readers.

Mid-Day Web Stories

Mid-Day Web Stories

This website uses cookie or similar technologies, to enhance your browsing experience and provide personalised recommendations. By continuing to use our website, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. OK