Diogo Costa makes incredible history at Euro 2024

It might not be far-fetched to suggest that Diogo Costa on Monday produced the greatest performance by a goalkeeper in modern history.

The Portugal goalie came up with four game-changing saves , one in extra time and three in a penalty shootout, to send his country to the Euro 2024 quarterfinals at the expense of Slovenia.

In doing so, Costa became the first goalkeeper in Euro history to save three penalties while keeping a clean sheet through 120 minutes of action. He also became the fourth player to save three penalties across all major tournaments (World Cup included).

Costa also saved his captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, from the humiliation of nearly costing Portugal an upset loss to Slovenia after the 39-year-old forward missed a penalty kick in extra time.

After the win, Costa admitted it was the "best game" and the highlight of his young career. When asked if he knew which direction Slovenia's penalty-takers — Josip Ilicic, Jure Balkovec and Benjamin Verbic — were going to shoot, Costa said he trusted in his instincts to pull off three saves.

"No, we analyzed the penalty-takers, of course, but players are substituted and they also change the way they shoot. I went with my gut," he told reporters. "The important thing is the work you put in and then trusting yourself. I believe in the hard work I do. Work, work, work. That comes first and sometimes you reap the fruits."

The 24-year-old FC Porto star boasts a track record of making history in big moments. During the 2022-23 Champions League, he became the first goalkeeper to save three penalties in a single campaign during the group stages. That feat came just a year after Costa was instrumental in FC Porto setting a new record for the longest undefeated streak in the Portuguese Primeira Liga with 58 matches.

Costa and Portugal will face France in the quarters on Friday, a rematch of the 2016 Euro finals.