How many penalties has Diogo Costa saved? The Portuguese goalkeeper’s success rate

Of the eight teams still alive at the 2026 World Cup, only one will finish as Europe’s top side. Portugal hopes to claim that honour, but first it must get past the round of 16, where it will face Spain.

Knockout matches are often decided by the finest of margins, and any game still level after 120 minutes will go to a penalty shootout. That is where a goalkeeper’s ability to save spot kicks can make the difference and carry their team into the next round.

Portugal reached the round of 16 thanks in large part to a stellar performance from goalkeeper Diogo Costa in the round of 32 against Croatia. The Porto keeper faced seven shots from the Croats and produced a series of crucial saves. At just 26, he has firmly established himself as Roberto Martínez’s first-choice goalkeeper.

Costa is indispensable between the posts for Portugal. He enjoyed another excellent season with Porto, making 49 appearances, including 12 in the Europa League. He made his senior debut for Portugal in 2021 and has since earned 47 caps.

Despite his relatively short career, Costa has already built a reputation as one of football’s best penalty stoppers. He has saved 14 penalties during regulation time, the most recent coming against Sporting CP in February 2026, when Porto earned a draw.

According to Transfermarkt, he has conceded 38 penalties, giving him an in-match penalty save rate of 26.92%, having stopped 14 of the 52 penalties he has faced.

Costa has also been involved in three penalty shootouts during his career. The first came in the 2023-24 Champions League round of 16 against Arsenal. He was unable to save any of the four penalties he faced, with Martin Ødegaard, Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice all converting.

The second came against Slovenia at the last European Championship. Costa saved all three penalties in the shootout, becoming Portugal’s hero and sending his side through to the quarter-finals.

The third remains the most painful memory for Spain. Costa denied Álvaro Morata in the penalty shootout of the 2025 Nations League final, securing the trophy for Portugal.

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