Euro 2024: Tragic night for the 'underdogs'

Cruel Slovenia

The Slovenian team was like an impregnable bunker in this year's tournament. Under the direction of captain Jan Oblak, the Slovenian team only conceded 1 goal after 4 matches. However, coach Matjaž Kek's team still had to end their journey in this year's tournament after a nerve-wracking penalty shootout.

Goalkeeper Diogo Costa made up for his teammates' mistakes to help Portugal advance to the quarter-finals. That was Cristiano Ronaldo's missed penalty kick in the 105th minute or Pepe's slip that created conditions for Benjamin Šeško had a good chance to end the match in the 115th minute.

It can be said that this is a cruel ending for the Slovenian team. But they have the right to be proud of their excellent performances in this year's tournament.

Lucky French team?

Possessing an attack with many famous stars. That is Kylian Mbappé, Antoine Griezmann or Ousmane Dembélé. But the French team entered the quarter-finals with only 1 goal "scored". And that goal was only scored on the 11m mark thanks to striker Kylian Mbappé.

The remaining two goals of coach Didier Deschamps' team were both own goals. Ironically, these two goals helped the French team to 2 victories in this year's tournament. It can be said that the Gallic Roosters are having a lot of luck in this year's tournament. And luck often accompanies champions?

Cristiano Ronaldo still failed to score

Never before in a major tournament has star Cristiano Ronaldo been silent for so long. In the last match, the star playing for Al-Nassr Club fired a total of 8 shots. However, this still could not help him score a goal in this year's tournament.

Even with a good chance on the 11m mark, Cristiano Ronaldo still could not beat goalkeeper Jan Oblak. Fortunately, teammate Diogo Costa made up for his mistake by saving 3 11m kicks in the nerve-wracking penalty shootout to send the Portuguese team into the quarter-finals.

Sad day for Jan Vertonghen

If Cristiano Ronaldo was only disappointed because he did not score a goal in the last match, Jan Vertonghen had a day 3 or 4 times sadder than the Portuguese star.

First, he officially became unemployed after ending his contract with RSC Anderlecht. Along with that, an own goal caused the Belgian team to suffer a bitter defeat against the French team, thereby saying goodbye to this year's tournament. It can be said that this is a "misfortune-filled" day for center-back Jan Vertonghen.

The Unfinished End of Josip Iličić

Being named in the Slovenian squad for Euro 2024, many fans are very happy for striker Josip Iličić. Because this 36-year-old striker has encountered too many incidents both in his football career and in his daily life.

However, Josip Iličić could not have a perfect ending when he failed to execute the penalty kick, causing the Slovenian team to stop at the round of 16.

However, reaching the 1/8 is already a successful result for the Slovenian team. And this is a consolation for Josip Iličić and his teammates.