Portugal secured their place in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 after beating Slovenia on penalties, which was reminiscent of one iconic Arsenal moment.
An upset could have been on the cards as Slovenia secured a 0-0 draw against Portugal, with Cristiano Ronaldo missing a penalty, and Arsenal target Benjamin Sesko missing a good chance.
Portugal may have been fearing the worst, but Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa proved to be the hero as he astonishingly saved three penalties to win his side the shootout.
When Arsenal beat Porto in the Champions League this season, Costa failed to save a single penalty from Mikel Arteta’s side in the resulting shootout, but he stood firm to win the tie for his side, and this was reminiscent of when Lukasz Fabianski had his best-ever Arsenal moment.
Lukasz Fabianski helped Arsenal win the FA Cup in semi-final vs Wigan
Arsenal were on a nine-year trophy drought in 2014, and Arsene Wenger was coming under serious pressure. However, they were handed a golden opportunity to win the FA Cup, as they reached the semi-finals where they would face Championship side Wigan, who were the holders.
The Gunners were dealt a shock when they found themselves trailing 1-0 at Wembley, with Jordi Gomez scoring a penalty, but centre-back Per Mertesacker headed in a late equaliser to take the game to extra time.
Wenger’s side toiled, and were taken to penalties, but Fabianski stepped up to make himself a hero.
The Poland International saved the first two penalties he faced, and with Arsenal scoring all of their efforts from the spot, the Gunners reached the final, where they ended up beating Hull City 3-2.
Fabianski, like Costa for Portugal, had saved his team in their moment of need, and he also saved Wenger’s job at the time.
Arsene Wenger could have left Arsenal in 2014
Wenger was coming under increased pressure from Arsenal fans given the trophy drought, and the French legend was out of contract at the end of the 2013-14 season.
Had Arsenal lost to Wigan, and failed to end their trophy drought, the possibility of Wenger leaving would have been much stronger.
Arsenal lifted the trophy, and Wenger signed a new contract, and his team spurred on to win the FA Cup again the following year.
Had Fabianski not saved the two penalties from Gary Caldwell and Jack Collison, Wenger’s final years at Arsenal may not have happened.
