Marking his name in football history forever, Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa played the "game of his life" in Monday's dramatic Euro 2024 win over plucky Slovenia, reigniting interest in one of the continent's finest shot-stoppers.
The Porto custodian set a remarkable new record during the Selecao's penalty shootout success, with their 3-0 victory largely owed to his cool head and superb athleticism.
Not only did Costa become the first man ever to save three penalties in a single shootout at the European Championship, but nobody had previously prevented their opponents from scoring at all.
Here, Sports Mole recaps an incredible performance and considers where the 24-year-old's future lies.
Portugal's saviour in Frankfurt
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When Diogo Costa threw out his left foot to deny Slovenia striker Benjamin Sesko in a 115th minute one-on-one, he spared Pepe's blushes, after the veteran defender had made a rare error deep into extra time.
Just over half an hour later, he went on to prevent Cristiano Ronaldo's personal melodrama from ending in tragedy - and helped his country into Euro 2024's last eight - with a ground-breaking display in the subsequent shootout.
A place in the quarter-finals was at stake in Frankfurt, where the 26-cap goalkeeper had very little to do during normal time, but he truly stood up to the challenge when his nation most needed him.
Opposite number Jan Oblak had earlier excelled when keeping Ronaldo's spot-kick out at the other end, and after surviving that late scare from Sesko, the game ended goalless - Portugal were bound for a battle of nerves from 12 yards.
Without making any major movements or deploying Emi Martinez-style psychological warfare, Costa went left to stop Josip Ilicic's opening penalty, then right to deny both Jure Balkovec and Benjamin Verbic.
When Bernardo Silva successfully converted Portugal's third, qualification for the quarter-finals was sealed, and Oblak's Slovenia side were cruelly knocked out.
Martinez hails heroics
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Relieved to see the Selecao scrape through, Portugal coach Roberto Martinez was keen to discuss his number one's brilliance under pressure: "I think the secret of Portugal is Diogo Costa. (He) is the most hidden secret of European football."
"I think (he) has entered a totally different level. We have to be very proud of him."
The two-time Primeira Liga goalkeeper of the season himself declared it "the game of my life" before detailing just how he executed four saves that brought such joy to the Portuguese public.
"When I made the save from Sesko in extra time, I read his body language. (In the shootout) I went with my gut feeling. Of course we had analysed the penalty takers, but players change how they shoot. I am very happy and very excited."
Not surprisingly, Costa was named UEFA's Player of the Match for setting up a blockbuster game against France, in which he could further claims for a place in the overall team of the tournament.
Where next for Porto's prized star?
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Inevitably, a goalkeeper who has now saved almost a third of penalties faced at senior level - 13 out of 42 to date - will draw attention from top teams, and Diogo Costa has long been on the radar of several big clubs.
In January 2022, Barcelona discussed a deal to bring the young stopper to Catalonia, but the finances were not in place to bring it over the line and Costa stayed put in northern Portugal.
Bayern Munich has often been mooted as a possible destination, as Manuel Neuer's long reign in Bavaria gradually nears its end.
However, it appears a switch to the Premier League could be on the cards as early as this summer, with three suitors in particular giving careful consideration to launching a big-money bid.
Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal are all keeping tabs on the situation, according to the Portuguese newspaper O Jogo, which reports that Porto may sell players as they move towards a new transfer model in the post Sergio Conceicao-era.
Raising funds during this summer's window is a must for new president Andre Villas-Boas, and as Costa is perhaps the club's biggest asset, speculation has been rife that he may now leave.
City's first choice Ederson has drawn interest from the Saudi Pro League, while David Raya has not fully convinced in North London; Chelsea, meanwhile, are still seeking a reliable long-term number one.
A £63m release clause exists in Costa's contract, so Porto can afford to sit tight for now, but one of the most talented shot-stoppers around will surely make his way up the football food chain sooner rather than later.
Jonathan O'Shea
