Euro 2024: A tragic night for the underdogs.
The French and Portuguese teams both won to advance to the quarterfinals. These were hard-fought victories, bringing much heartbreak to the defeated teams.
A tragic Slovenia
The Slovenian team was like an impenetrable fortress in this year's tournament. Under the leadership of captain Jan Oblak, Slovenia conceded only one goal in four matches. Yet, coach Matjaž Kek's team still had to end their journey in this year's tournament after a tense penalty shootout.
Goalkeeper Diogo Costa rectified his teammates' mistakes to help Portugal secure their place in the quarter-finals. These included Cristiano Ronaldo's missed penalty in the 105th minute and defender Pepe's slip that allowed a goal. Benjamin Šeško had a golden opportunity to seal the match in the 115th minute.
It could be said that this is a cruel ending for the Slovenian team. But they have every right to be proud of their outstanding performances in this year's tournament.
Was the French team lucky?
Despite possessing an attacking line-up filled with famous stars like Kylian Mbappé, Antoine Griezmann, and Ousmane Dembélé, the French national team reached the quarter-finals with only one goal "scored," and that goal was scored from a penalty kick by striker Kylian Mbappé.
The remaining two goals for Didier Deschamps' team were both own goals by opposing defenders. Ironically, these two goals secured France's two victories in this year's tournament. It could be said that the French team is experiencing a great deal of luck in this year's competition. And luck often accompanies champions, doesn't it?
Cristiano Ronaldo is still goalless.
Never before in major tournaments has Cristiano Ronaldo gone so long without scoring. In the recent match, the star currently playing for Al-Nassr Club unleashed a total of 8 shots. However, this was still not enough to earn him a goal in this year's tournament.
Even with a clear opportunity from the penalty spot, Cristiano Ronaldo couldn't beat goalkeeper Jan Oblak. Fortunately, his teammate Diogo Costa redeemed him by saving three penalties in the tense shootout to send Portugal into the quarter-finals.
Jan Vertonghen's sad day
While Cristiano Ronaldo was only disappointed about not scoring in the recent match, Jan Vertonghen had a day that was three or four times more depressing than the Portuguese star.
First, he officially became unemployed after his contract with RSC Anderlecht ended. Adding to that was an own goal that led to Belgium's bitter defeat against France, thus ending their participation in this year's tournament. It's safe to say this was a day of "misfortune upon misfortune" for center-back Jan Vertonghen.
The incomplete ending of Josip Iličić
Having been named in the Slovenian national team squad for Euro 2024, many fans are delighted for striker Josip Iličić. This is because the 36-year-old striker has faced so many hardships both in his playing career and in his daily life.
However, Josip Iličić couldn't have a perfect ending when he missed his penalty kick, causing the Slovenian team to be eliminated in the round of 16.
Nevertheless, reaching the round of 16 is already a successful result for the Slovenian team. And this is a consolation for Josip Iličić and his teammates.