In the fierce duel of the Euro Cup Quarter-Finals, Portugal defeated France 3-5 in the penalty shootout, regretting to stop outside the door of the quarter-finals. After the match, the core players of the Portuguese team Bernardo Silva accepted the media interviews, made an in-depth analysis of the game, and looked forward to the future of the team.
When asked if this was the best game Portugal played at the Euros, Bernardo Silva said, "In terms of how I felt on the field, we really showed a high level of athleticism in this game. But soccer is like that, it is full of uncertainty and chance. In big games, 90 minutes, 120 minutes and even penalty shootouts, every moment can be decisive. The best team doesn't always win, and the side that plays well doesn't always have the last laugh. Today, we suffered a brutal result similar to Slovenia's in the 1/8 finals, but that's the beauty of soccer. We will accept this reality, move on, learn from this defeat and try to achieve better results in future matches."
On how the team should respond next, Bernardo Silva emphasized the importance of team cohesion: "At this point in time, what we need most is to maintain team cohesion. Although there may be some criticism and questions about us from the outside, we are very clear internally that we are all working hard for the same goal, both players and staff. We managed to keep a very good spirit in the dressing room, which was the key to our ability to persevere in difficult times. We will continue to work hard to maintain this cohesion in the coming days to meet the challenges that may come our way. Because there is never a shortage of changes and challenges in the world of soccer and all we need to do is stick together and face them together."
Speaking about Felix's missed penalty in the penalty shootout, Bernardo Silva showed deep affection and understanding for his teammate, "I've been in situations where I've missed penalties at crucial moments myself, so I know the pressure and the pain. Felix bravely stepped up and took the responsibility to take that penalty. He carries a heavy burden for our national team and we all know how difficult that can be. In soccer, there are always people who miss at crucial moments, but that doesn't make them losers. Today it was Felix's turn, but our whole team stood with him, supported him and encouraged him. We believe he will draw strength from this experience and become stronger."
