Diogo Costa saved all three penalties as Portugal beat Slovenia 3-0 in a last 16 shoot-out at Euro 2024 to save the day for superstar Cristiano Ronaldo who was reduced to tears after missing from the spot in extra time on Monday.
Ronaldo was in shock and crying after having a 105th-minute penalty saved by Jan Oblak, who as Atletico Madrid goalkeeper knows him well from his days at Atletico Madrid.
It was the culmination of frustration for Ronaldo who also failed to convert on three free-kicks, and on a big chance in the 89th as the score remained 0-0 after 120 minutes - and Ronaldo still scoreless at his sixth Euros.
But the 39-year-old captain then stepped up again to convert in the deciding shoot-out along with Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva.
Costa became the first goalkeeper to keep a clean sheet in a shoot-out at the Euros when he saved the three attempts from Josip Ilicic, Jure Balkovec and Benjamin Verbic.
Man of the Match Costa had also thwarted a golden opportunity from Benjamin Sesko late in extra time as Portugal had a lucky escape into the quarter-finals where they face France who edged Belgium 1-0 earlier in the day.
Portugal beat France in the 2016 final but have also suffered painful defeats against them in the semi-finals of the 1984 and 2000 Euros and 2006 World Cup.
Slovenia leave the tournament with four draws in open play after offering stiff resistance in their first ever knock-out match.
Emotional roller-coaster for Ronaldo
"I was unbelievably sad and then overjoyed. That's football, you can't explain it," Ronaldo said of his emotional roller-coaster.
"I tried to decide the match but I didn't manage to convert. Oblak saved superbly. I was down in the dumps and then on top of the world.
"We had to work but I think we deserved to win. Congratulations to Diogo Costa."
Costa said: "This is probably the best game of my life. I focused on doing what I had to do. I went with my gut feeling.
Looking back at Ronaldo's missed penalty, he said: "We all felt we needed to keep believing. We believed until the very end and we're all very happy."
Slovenia sad and proud
"I want to congratulate Portugal, one has to know how to win on penalties," said Slovenia coach Matjaz Kek who was red-carded half-way through extra time.
"We have bitterness, but with sweetness on the other hand. I hope this tournament is a starting point for the future of Slovenian football."
Portugal fail to get early breakthrough
Ruben Dias fired wide early on from a tight right angle as Portugal tried to make their presence felt early on before Ronaldo failed to control a pass in a promising position and then just missed to get his head on a cross from Silva.
Slovenia slowly grew into the match but without seriously threatening in their second meeting with Portugal, having won the first 2-0 in a March friendly.
Ronaldo kept trying at the other end, managing only a tame header into the arms of Oblak before blazing a free-kick just over in the 34th.
Joao Palhinha hit the left outside post on the last play of the half, set up nicely by the lively Rafael Leao.
Slovenia start to threaten
Slovakia threatened first after intermission but the offside flag went up after Sesko's header went narrowly wide left. Sesko came closer on the hour but fluffed his shot wide right under pressure from 41-year-old defender Pepe.
In-between, Ronaldo blasted another free-kick towards goal but it was aimed right at Oblak who could palm the ball away, and his next one in the 72nd went well over.
Slovenia were firm in defence but Ronaldo had one final chance on the counter in the 89th minute, only to fail to beat Oblak again from a left angle after being released by Diogo Jota.
Ronaldo agony in extra time
Portugal got the golden opportunity to finally break the deadlock in the ensuing extra time when Jota ran past two defenders into the penalty area where he was brought down by Vanja Drkusic.
Ronaldo stepped up and fired into the right corner, but Oblak was there and saved with a little help of the post.
The keeper also tipped Palhinha's looping header over the bar while at the other end Costa made his biggest save of the match against Sesko after a huge mistake from Pepe - before becoming their hero for good in the shoot-out where Ronaldo also came good.