Cristiano Ronaldo turns missed penalty tears into shootout 'joy'

A game of epic personal drama and tears for Cristiano Ronaldo ended with his Portugal team making the European Championship quarterfinals after beating Slovenia in a penalty shootout Monday.

The last-16 game went to a shootout because Ronaldo's extra-time spot kick in the 114th minute was saved by Slovenia goalkeeper Jan Oblak. Regulation and extra time finished 0-0.

When the teams went to penalties, Ronaldo scored his and Portugal's first, and teammate Diogo Costa saved all three of Slovenia's kicks, from Josip Ilicic, Jure Balkovec and Benjamin Verbič.

"Sadness at the start is joy at the end," Ronaldo said in an on-field interview following the final whistle. "That's what football is. Moments, inexplicable moments.

"A direct shot to give the team the lead. I didn't manage it. 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."

Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva also scored for Portugal to seal the shootout 3-0 with two shots to spare.

"I think Portugal deserved it because we had more authority," Ronaldo said. "Slovenia spent almost the entire game defending ... It's very difficult and the whole team is to be congratulated, especially our goalkeeper [Costa], who made three very good saves."

Extra time also finished 0-0 and when the penalty shootout started, Slovenia's first kick was saved by Costa.

Up stepped Ronaldo, facing a massed stand of about 10,000 Portugal fans. He placed it perfectly low beyond Oblak diving to his right.

Ronaldo looked apologetically to the fans and put his hands together as if in prayer. The fans responded with a bellowing and forgiving shout of "Siuuuu" -- their soccer icon's trademark goal scream.

The intense extra-time drama followed a frustrating first 90 minutes for Ronaldo.

After three free kicks and two mistimed headers, the Portugal star seemed sure to score with his first clear shooting chance in open play.

It came in the 89th, when he ran clear on goal with the ball passed perfectly into his stride. The left-foot shot was low and powerful, but Oblak's block was better. Ronaldo held out his arms in exasperation yet again.

Portugal are still competing to win back the European title they also won in 2016, at the expense of an admirable Slovenia side that were effectively unbeaten after drawing all four of their games at Euro 2024.

"His emotions show respect for Slovenia," coach Matjaz Kek said of Ronaldo, "and that is what I am content with."

Information from ESPN's Rob Dawson, Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.