Hero Diogo and Ronaldo’s tears ‘turned into joy’: foreign press reacts to Portugal’s triumph

Portugal held out until the end against Slovenia on Monday to ensure their place in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024. Without a goal and a penalty missed in extra time by Cristiano Ronaldo, the blessed gloves of Diogo Costa saved three penalties and prevented the Portuguese from returning early at home.

The international press has focused on two unfortunate moments: the tears of the Portuguese captain, who at 39 remains competitive and was left unused after missing a penalty that could have been decisive, and, despite the brilliance of Diogo Costa, was considered the best player in the game, becoming the first goalkeeper to save three penalties at the European Championship.

Costa’s “heroic gesture” refers to Sky Sports which allowed Bernardo Silva to “score the winning kick” at the Frankfurt Arena, Germany.

The newspaper also reports on Ronaldo’s tears, which a few minutes later “turned into joy” because the team did not allow the Slovenians to score a goal against the Portuguese.

A BBC highlights CR7’s desire and eagerness to score the first goal of Euro 2024 in a game in which the Portuguese captain once again did not go unnoticed. Consoled by his colleagues and his name sung by the fans in the stands, the British press highlighted the Portuguese support for the international striker, who missed a penalty and failed to give his team an advantage on the scoreboard.

‘An impressive penalty shootout win,’ BBC praises Costa’s ‘heroics’ [Diogo] “to ensure that Ronaldo’s dream at the Euros continues,” the latter player assured the star after Monday’s match.

Also Spanish El Pais does not overlook CR7’s attempt to become the “oldest goalscorer in European Championship history” – a title that still belongs to Croatian Luka Modric.

The newspaper also noted Pepe’s performance. According to El Pais, performance The defender’s performance in the match “made us forget that Pepe has been playing for more than two decades.”

This Monday evening in Frankfurt will be “like the one in which CR7 was almost finished, but in which Diogo Costa performed like the greatest ever seen, whether the legend says goodbye to his last European Championship against Mbappe”, the newspaper notes, leaving a note that the Portuguese captain is “no longer the same”.

Press Brand calls Cristiano Ronaldo “bicho” when he writes about Portugal asking CR7 to score an infamous penalty in the 105th minute. The news was about Dolores Aveiro’s tears and the Portuguese captain’s apology to the fans after Esloweina goalkeeper Jan Oblak saved the shot.

This Friday, the national team will play in the quarter-final play-off against France.