“Only players who accept the responsibility of scoring can miss them” - Bernardo Silva shares classy message for Cristiano Ronaldo after penalty miss
Bernardo Silva has shared a classy message for Cristiano Ronaldo after the Portugal national team captain missed a crucial penalty in their Euro 2024 Round of 16 clash against Slovenia. The match ended in a 3-0 penalty shootout win for the Selecao at Deutsche Bank Park in Frankfurt, Germany, on Monday, July 1.
Following a goalless 90 minutes, the match went into extra time, where Ronaldo missed a penalty in the 105th minute. Portugal were awarded the spot-kick after Slovenian defender Vanja Drkusic committed a foul on Portuguese forward Diogo Jota inside the penalty area.
After both sides failed to break the deadlock in extra time, Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa saved all three penalties from Slovenia, taken by Josip Ilicic, Jure Balkovec, and Benjamin Verbic. Portugal, meanwhile, successfully netted all three of their penalties, taken by Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, and Bernardo Silva.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner broke down after his penalty was saved by Slovenian goalkeeper Jan Oblak in the first half of the extra-time. Ronaldo was seen consoled by his national teammates before the beginning of the second half of the extra period.
Speaking about Cristiano Ronaldo's performance in the Euro 2024 Round of 16 clash against Slovenia, Bernardo Silva said (via O Jogo):
"Only players who accept the responsibility of scoring can fail them. I also had an experience not long ago and Cristiano felt that he should have scored, but it's football, so we follow. There is no greater pride than representing our selection and we feel the weight of wanting to do things well. When things don't go so well, emotionally we go a little below."
Following their win against Slovenia, Portugal have qualified for the Euro 2024 quarter-finals where they will face France at Volksparkstadion, in Hamburg, Germany, on Friday, July 5.
Bernardo Silva on Cristiano Ronaldo-led Portugal's performance in Euro 2024 Round of 16
Bernardo Silva spoke about Portugal's performance against Slovenia in the Round of 16 of Euro 2024 and said (via O Jogo):
"I'm very happy, it was a difficult game against a very organized team, which put a lot of players behind the line of the ball. It's not an excuse, but the field was very dry and the ball always jumping. The field was disastrous and slowed down our pace and our ability to find spaces. Very happy with the qualification, which was the most important, knowing that we can do better."
Portugal have won the UEFA European Championship once in 2016 while France have won the continental tournament twice in 1984 and 2000.