"Game, set, match" - The Boys actor Antony Starr reposts Cristiano Ronaldo quote after Portugal's Euro 2024 Round of 16 win
The Boys actor Antony Starr has reposted a Cristiano Ronaldo quote after Portugal's thrilling penalty-shootout victory over Slovenia in the Euro 2024 Round of 16 in Frankfurt on Monday (July 1). Ronaldo missed a penalty in extra time but scored in the shootout, which A Selecao won 3-0.
In a game where Roberto Martinez's side bossed proceedings, Ronaldo was guilty of profligate finishing, narrowly failing to get on the end of teasing crosses. He sent a fizzing free-kick narrowly over and shot straight at Jan Oblak just before the end of regulation time.
In the first period of extra time, Portugal had a wonderful opportunity to take the lead, but Ronaldo saw a powerful penalty saved brilliantly by Oblak to keep the game scoreless, eventually necessitating penalties.
The miss reduced Ronaldo to tears and he had to be consoled by teammates, but the 39-year-old regrouped in the shootout, opening the scoring in the eventual 3-0 win. Ronaldo said after the last-gasp win:
"I don't mind people hating me because it pushes me. You have to see the good things from the haters. I need an enemy. It's part of the business. It's not a problem for me. It's a motivation."
Starr - who plays the villainous Homelander in The Boys - reposted the quote on his Instagram story with the caption:
"Game set match"
Ronaldo and Co. next take on two-time winners France in a blockbuster Euro 2024 quarterfinal in Hamburg on Friday (July 5).
How Cristiano Ronaldo has fared for Portugal at Euro 2024 so far?
Portugal talisman Cristiano Ronaldo is not having the Euro 2024 campaign he would have hoped for, going scoreless in four games but has registered an assist. It marked the first time the five-time Ballon d'Or winner hasn't scored in the group stage of a major tournament for the first time in 11 attempts.
While the goals may not have flown from Ronaldo's boot yet, it's not the same case with records and milestones. The 39-year-old is now the first player to appear in six different Euros, the first to score in three different Euros and the oldest player to score in an European Championship shootout. He's also the joint highest assist-provider (eight( at the Euros (eight).
The all-time Euro finals scorer (14 goals) will look to find his scoring boots as Portugal face their toughest challenge of Euro 2024 when they face Les Bleus on Friday.