Following is reaction from Portugal’s 3-0 penalty shootout win over Slovenia on Monday that sent them through to the quarter-finals at Euro 2024 where they will meet France.

Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo, who missed a penalty in extra time and scored one in the shootout: “Sadness at the start is joy at the end. That’s what football is. Moments, inexplicable moments.

“A direct shot to give the team the lead. I didn’t manage it. (Jan) Oblak made a good save … I have to see the penalty, I don’t know if I shot well or badly, but I haven’t missed once all year, and when I needed it most, Oblak saved it.”

“I think Portugal deserved it because we had more authority. Slovenia spent almost the entire game defending … it’s very difficult and the whole team is to be congratulated, especially our goalkeeper (Diogo Costa), who made three very good saves.”

Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa, who made three saves in the shootout to set a Euros record: “I’m very excited. It’s very difficult to stay focused. I’m happy to help the team get through to the quarter-finals.”

Costa on Ronaldo’s penalty miss in extra time: “We all make mistakes. What matters is what we do as a team.

“I think this is probably the best game of my life, the game where I was most useful … I just went with my gut – of course we analysed the penalty shooters but players change the way they shoot, but I had to go with my gut, so I’m very, very happy.”

“We believed until the very end and we’re all very happy, and now we want to play France.

“We all know that Cris (Ronaldo) is the hardest worker. I understand how frustrated he is because he devotes all his time to this. For me, it’s an honour to play on the same team. We’re a family, I believe in the work we put in.”

Slovenia goalkeeper Jan Oblak: “Unfortunately, it did not work out for us. I’m lost for words, the atmosphere here is amazing and that’s what makes it that much more difficult.

“There’s nothing more to add, especially a few minutes after the thing transpired. You see what happened in extra time, we had the opportunity to score, but we were probably missing a bit of luck.

“In the end, Portugal has deservedly won. Congratulations to them.”

Slovenia coach Matjaz Kek: “I’m sorry for the fans, I’m sorry for this huge energy, because people did not believe we could play such a tournament. Unfortunately we did not manage to win, but Portugal deserved to win.

“I am the smallest factor in this team, and let me repeat it – you have no idea what a privilege it is to be leading this national team, and that we can play the biggest teams in Europe and the world.”

-Reuters

England advanced to the quarterfinals of the European Championship after Jude Bellingham scored a stunning overhead kick in the fifth minute of stoppage time to spark a comeback 2-1 win after extra time against Slovakia on Sunday.

Bellingham’s acrobatic overhead kick leveled the round-of-16 game at 1-1 with seconds remaining at the Veltins Arena.

Harry Kane headed in the winner in the first minute of extra time as England avoided one of the biggest shocks in the history of the Euros.

Ivan Schranz scored in the first half for Slovakia and his goal looked like being enough to eliminate England, which was one of the pre-tournament favorites and runner up at the last Euros.

But Bellingham’s wonder goal sent the game to extra time and Kane sealed the win and a place in the quarterfinals where England will play Switzerland in Duesseldorf.

-AP

BY ANDREW CAWTHORNE, REUTERS.

With mosquitoes plaguing their preparations, lightning flashing over the match, and an early goal disallowed, the Germans must have wondered half-way into their Euro 2024 last-16 game against Denmark if the gods were against them.

But as the storm clouds passed, so their fortunes changed and Germany deservedly ran out 2-0 winners in Dortmund to reach a first major tournament quarter-final in eight years.

That is a long time by the standards of a nation whose name became synonymous in football with serial winning.

The Germans’ disappointing run has included first-round exits at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups and a last-16 elimination in the 2021 Euros.

Saturday’s triumph has belatedly ignited Germany’s fans who were notably downbeat about their prospects in the run-up to the tournament and had not created an atmosphere to match the famous summer party of 2006 when they hosted the World Cup.

That may change, as fans poured on to the streets after Saturday’s games, tooting horns and waving flags.

The victory was vindication for Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann. First and foremost of his decision to stick with Kai Havertz alone up front and keep big Niclas Fuellkrug on the bench despite his two goals at the tournament from substitute appearances.

Havertz, goalless in the group stage, looked the part, tormenting Denmark with his runs and clever movement and netting the first goal from the penalty spot with a pinpoint shot beyond goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel’s reach.

His fortune contrasted with Rasmus Hojlund at the other end, who looked shorn of confidence as his goal drought with Denmark continued to eight games.

Germany are starting to look very good at the Euros where in the group stage they humiliated Scotland, controlled Hungary and showed fighting spirit against a strong Swiss team.

Versus the Danes, they had an impressive 55% possession, 58 attacks and 14 attempts on goal, Jamal Musiala curling home their second and match-winning goal

They had the video assistant referee (VAR) to thank, however, for two game-changing decisions that will be a recurring nightmare for Danish defender Joachim Andersen.

He thought he had scored, only to see it chalked off for a narrow offside by a team mate, then shortly afterwards committed the handball for Germany’s penalty.

With Spain, Portugal, France and Belgium still in their side of the draw, however, Germany’s new-found confidence may soon be put to a severe test.

-Reuters