Roberto Martinez calls Euro 2024 star ‘the most hidden secret in European football’

Diogo Costa was named Player of the Match after his penalty heroics for Portugal (UEFA via Getty)

Roberto Martinez hailed Diogo Costa as ‘the most hidden secret in European football’ after Portugal’s shootout victory over Slovenia at Euro 2024.

Costa was Portugal’s saviour in Portugal’s last-16 tie on Monday evening as he became the first goalkeeper in the history of the tournament to save three penalties in a shootout.

The Porto goalkeeper also produced a brilliant one-on-one save to deny Benjamin Sesko a goal for Slovenia in the final few minutes of extra time.

Speaking after his side’s win on penalties, Portugal head coach Martinez said: ‘I think Portugal’s secret is Diogo Costa. Diogo Costa is the most hidden secret in European football and today he showed up.

‘Today I think he reached a completely different level. The one-on-one situation was incredible. Then he had the focus to make three consecutive saves. We have to be very proud of him.’

Diogo Costa saved three penalties in Portugal’s shootout against Slovenia (Reuters)

Martinez also hailed the courage of Cristiano Ronaldo, who was reduced to tears after his penalty was saved by Jan Oblak in the first half of extra time.

The 39-year-old then stepped up as Portugal’s first taker in the shootout and managed to beat Oblak with an effort into the opposite corner.

‘He [Ronaldo] doesn’t need to care that much and that’s why I thank him for being the way he is, for caring for the group … I was certain he had to be the first penalty taker and show us the way to the victory,’ Martinez said.

Cristiano Ronaldo was in tears after missing a penalty for Portugal against Slovenia (AMA/Getty)

‘I think we all felt very proud of our captain. The dressing room was delighted with what he’s doing. I think he gave us all a lesson, that you need to live every day as if it’s the last one.

‘You need to have real high standards and never give up – life and football gives you difficult moments, and the way he reacted is a real example that we are very proud of in Portuguese football.’

Portugal will now play France, who beat Belgium 1-0 in their last-16 clash earlier on Monday, in their quarter-final tie on Friday at 8pm.

‘We don’t want days off, we want to be here, now we’re focused and focused on France, this Euros is red-hot, and three days is enough to get ready for the next game,’ Martinez said.

‘France are very strong and things tend to get harder defensively, but in the attack maybe there’s more space behind the lines. So this is a stronger opponent and they can cause more issues, but it’s a better opponent because you’ll have more chances.’

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