Portugal coach Roberto Martinez praises Ronaldo following Portugal's thrilling penalty shootout victory against Slovenia
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez lauded Cristiano Ronaldo (39) following a dramatic night against Slovenia, where the captain experienced a roller-coaster of emotions: missing a penalty in extra time but then clinching victory with a crucial goal in a 3-0 shootout win that propelled them into the EURO 2024 quarter-finals.
CHRISTIANO Ronaldo's tears flowed after his extra-time penalty miss kept the score 0-0, but he quickly turned the tide by converting the first penalty in the shootout. Goalkeeper Diogo Costa then heroically saved three penalties, securing Portugal's advancement.
"He (Christiano Ronaldo) doesn't need to worry so much, and that's why I appreciate him for his character, his concern for the team," Martinez expressed to reporters. "I was convinced he should take the first penalty and lead us to victory."
"I believe we were all incredibly proud of our captain. The locker room was thrilled with his performance. I believe he taught us all a lesson, demonstrating the importance of living each day as if it were our last."
"After a challenging 120 minutes and the intensity of the shootout, Roberto Martinez and Portugal must quickly refocus as they prepare to face France, who earlier defeated Belgium 1-0 in their round of 16 match in Hamburg on Friday."
"We don't want days off; we want to be here. We are now focused and preparing for France. This Euros is heating up, and three days is sufficient time to prepare for the next match," Portugal coach Roberto Martinez emphasized.
"France is a formidable opponent, and defensively things become more challenging. However, there might be more opportunities in attack, as they tend to leave more space behind the lines. They are a stronger opponent, capable of creating more problems, but they also provide greater opportunities," he concluded.
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