NEWS
Bruno Fernandes is given nickname by Bernardo Silva after the Portugal midfielders both scored their spot kicks in penalty shootout win over Slovenia
Bruno Fernandes has been given a nickname by Bernardo Silva after Portugal’s win against Slovenia.
It was whirlwind night for Roberto Martinez’s men as they booked their place in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 after winning via a penalty shootout thanks to goalkeeper Diogo Costa’s heroics.
Portugal had the opportunity to take the lead in extra-time when they were awarded a penalty after Diogo Jota was fouled inside the box – but Cristiano Ronaldo was denied by Jan Oblak and broke into tears.
The 39-year-old then stepped up to take his team’s first penalty in the shootout and converted despite Oblak diving the right way.
He was followed by Fernandes and Silva, who both converted their spot kicks, with Costa saving three Slovenia penalties in between.
Silva has now nicknamed Fernandes ‘Penandes’, posting a photo of them and using the caption: ‘With my friend and penalty professor Bruno Penandes!’
The Manchester United captain then returned the favour as he responded: ‘You are welcome Benandes’.
Fernandes adopted the ‘Penandes’ nickname when he scored eight penalties in 22 appearances in his first season at United.
The 29-year-old has often been criticised for relying heavily on penalties but gave a fierce response in 2020.
He said: ‘We can’t talk a lot about penalties because everybody will say, ‘Bruno only scores with penalties’. If the others score them, it’s no problem. They just score a penalty, you know.
‘Penalties are part of the game, you know. You need to score. You have the chance but you need to score.
‘I know everyone is talking about them like it’s easy but you can lose a final with a penalty. Manchester wins the Champions League in Moscow with penalties [in 2008].’