As the sport moved into its one hundred and twentieth minute, it was so apparent Portugal and Slovenia’s Euro 2024 last-16 assembly would finish with one group of players sprinting in direction of their goalkeeper from the midway line, arms aloft, hailing his heroics.
And certainly it was going to be the goalkeeper who had already saved one penalty and been his facet’s final line of defence in a resolute however clever and skilful rearguard motion. It needed to be Jan Oblak, Slovenia’s captain and seven-time player of the yr, proper?
In spite of everything, the 31-year-old had saved two spot kicks solely three and a half months in the past to assist his membership Atletico Madrid beat Inter Milan in a champions league last-16 shootout, his third win on penalties in that specific competitors for the La Liga facet.
However profitable the toss so Slovenia might take the primary shot in a shootout for a spot on this European Championship’s quarter-finals was the final name Oblak bought proper.
His reverse quantity, Diogo Costa, however, went left to cease Josip Ilicic’s first effort, then proper and proper once more to thwart Jure Balkovec and Benjamin Verbic.
Oblak, in the meantime, bought nowhere close to penalties from Cristiano Ronaldo, who went left, having gone proper 20 minutes earlier than, Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva. After two hours of watching Oblak and his again 4 repel every part they threw at them, Portugal have been those racing in direction of their goalkeeper and Costa was the hero.
That save in further time! 😲
A heroic efficiency from Diogo Costa ⛔👏@Vivo_GLOBAL | #EUROPOTM pic.twitter.com/8SUasSX2aR
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) July 1, 2024
“Sure, it was in all probability one of the best recreation of my life — it was actually the one the place I used to be most helpful to my workforce,” was the 24-year-old Porto goalkeeper’s evaluation when requested by reporters within the post-match media convention to rank his show in Frankfurt on Monday.
No person had ever saved three penalties in a row in a European Championship earlier than, simply as no person had ever not conceded in a shootout on the Euros earlier than.
When requested if he knew which approach Slovenia’s penalty-takers would shoot, he stated: “No, we analysed the penalty-takers, in fact, however gamers are substituted they usually additionally change the best way they shoot. I went with my intestine.
“The vital factor is the work you place in after which trusting your self. I consider within the exhausting work I do. Work, work, work. That comes first and typically you reap the fruits.”
Somewhat later, it was identified to Portugal supervisor Roberto Martinez that the evening earlier than Oblak helped Atletico previous Inter, Costa did not cease any of Arsenal’s spot kicks of their champions League last-16 recreation, which meant Porto went out and the Londoners progressed.
“Diogo is on kind,” stated Martinez. “His expertise in opposition to Arsenal was crucial, however he went together with his feeling right here.
Martinez and Diogo Costa embrace (Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Photographs)
“He’s an incredible goalkeeper. He’s a well-kept secret in Portugal. I’ve labored with some superb goalkeepers and he’s up there with one of the best. The maturity and expertise he has now means we actually get to learn from his performances.”
Effectively, the key is out now.
However it isn’t a secret that requires a lot uncovering. Costa has now saved 13 of the 42 penalties he has confronted — nearly one in three — and it was solely two years in the past that he saved three penalties in a row throughout three Champions League games. No person had ever saved three non-shootout penalties in a Champions League season earlier than.
Diogo Costa: penalty king 👑@FCPorto || #UCL pic.twitter.com/tcKuPEpBIM
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) June 27, 2023
The saves he made right here have been all at full stretch with two fingers. These weren’t horrible penalties, notably the primary from Ilicic. Gettable heights, maybe, however they have been hit exhausting and near the posts.
“His endurance, timing, and explosiveness have been what stood out,” explains The Athletic’s goalkeeping skilled Matt Pyzdrowski, a coach and former goalkeeper who performed in Sweden and the USA.
“The way in which he nearly waited till the striker made affect with the ball earlier than he made his transfer was completely excellent.
“Additionally, the truth that regardless of how lengthy he waited, he was nonetheless capable of cowl the corners of his aim with each fingers was particular and never one thing simply any goalkeeper might do. That’s right down to his athleticism and explosiveness.
“It nearly appeared that he telepathically knew beforehand precisely the place the striker was going to go. It was a hell of a efficiency.
“His composure was additionally actually good. No huge dramatic actions or distraction strategies earlier than the gamers struck the ball. He simply waited patiently in aim and targeted on getting the timing of his dives spot on.”
And whereas he had spent many of the recreation watching the Oblak present on the different finish, Costa made in all probability one of the best non-penalty save of the match, too, when he caught out his left foot to disclaim Benjamin Sesko in a one-on-one within the one hundred and fifteenth minute.
Costa stops Sesko in a one-on-one after Pepe’s slip-up (Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Photographs)
“To begin with, I assumed, ‘I’ve bought to cease this’,” was Costa’s matter-of-fact rationalization when quizzed after the match. “I attempted to learn his physique language and fortunately I managed to assist the workforce. That’s my job.”
Whether or not it has been beneath the worldwide radar or not, Costa has been doing this job for a while.
Iker Casillas, the previous Spain and Actual Madrid nice who completed his membership profession with Porto, was telling individuals six years in the past that Costa can be his successor… and maybe not simply at Porto.
“There’s a star coming by way of,” Casillas stated in 2018. “He’s referred to as Diogo Costa. I believe he’s going to be an excellent goalkeeper.”
We expect you’re proper, Iker.
“Diogo! Diogo!” we referred to as when Costa had completed speaking to us, as he left his player-of-the-match trophy on stage within the media convention room.
“Ah,” he stated, laughing, “profitable is vital.”
It was the very first thing he let by way of his fingers all evening.
(High picture: Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Photographs)
