Portugal defender Nuno Mendes leaves fans saluting one of the 'best penalties EVER' after he scored during tense shootout defeat by France in Euro 2024 quarter-finals

Portugal defender Nuno Mendes showed nerves of steel as he smashed home a stunning penalty in last night's shootout defeat by France at Euro 2024.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Co crashed out of the tournament after losing on spot-kicks, having been taken the distance in a tense showdown in Hamburg.

Theo Hernandez scored the winning penalty after Joao Felix, introduced as a late substitute, saw his effort hit the outside of the post in the only miss.

Mendes did not succumb to any lingering tension when he stepped up, however, having coolly dispatched his shot from 12 yards into the top corner.

While not enough to drag his country over the line, his superb strike led social media users to heap praise on him, insisting the penalty was among the very best.

'That Nuno Mendes penalty is surely one of the best I've ever seen,' one X user said.

Another added: 'Nuno Mendes with the best penalty I've ever seen.'

A third said: 'Nuno Mendes with one of the best penalties I've ever seen.'

'That Nuno Mendes penalty might be one of the best I've ever seen,' a fourth user posted. 'To do that with the tournament on the line is insane...'

A fifth said: 'Started the tournament at LCB. Just did 120' at LB. Had 138 touches, many of them vibrant. Finished it like this.

'This man can really ball. So happy to see him looking nice and healthy.' 

Ronaldo recently admitted this European Championship was likely to be his last but Portugal boss Roberto Martinez said nothing has been decided.

When asked whether Ronaldo and Pepe had played for their country for the final time, Martinez said: 'No. Everything is too raw. We are still suffering the defeat.

'There's no individual decisions at this point.'