Sesko Kolo Muani: Arsenal's potential target with a perfect deja vu

When you're old enough - and some of us here have more than a few years of life experience - you will inevitably reach these moments. You see a random thing that seems like a carbon copy of something you already witnessed years ago.

Take Benjamin Sesko's sitter against Portugal on Monday night in the EURO 2024 Round of 16 as an example.

The 21-year-old RB Leipzig striker found himself totally alone in a one-on-one situation with Portugal keeper Diogo Costa. Just a few minutes were left on the clock in the second extra time as the teams were tied.

For the forward of his pedigree, even with all tiredness included, that should have been resolved with a goal, a potential winner, an arrow straight into the Portuguese hearts.

He could have, and should have, just dribbled past Diogo Costa or fired it like Nico Williams against Georgia: no-nonsense shot, straight under the crossbar. Instead, we witnessed a mild effort which the Porto custodian stopped and made his confidence go sky high ahead of the decisive penalty shootout. And it ended in three more saves of his for a remarkable performance which will go down in history as one of the best ever.

On the other hand, Sesko must be in despair now, aware that he could have become a true hero, the one whose name would be talked over and over as the one who sent Cristiano Ronaldo straight into retirement.

Someone needs to sit down and talk to this guy. Until it's too late

Alas, it went the wrong way for the attacker, who was allegedly Arsenal's top target in recent months before he decided to extend his RB Leipzig contract.

But haven't we seen something like this only a few years ago? France and Argentina were fighting on a stage much bigger than this, though - in the World Cup showdown in Qatar - and the teams were tied at three in the second extra time, too. Another star of Ronaldo's importance, Lionel Messi, was fighting for the win, and one player was inches away from sending him to international retirement.

That man was Randal Kolo Muani, and - just like Sesko last night - he was so close to becoming a hero. Unfortunately for him and France, there was his 'Diogo Costa' there, Emiliano Dibu Martinez. He did the same as a Portuguese colleague of his - denied that effort with a historic save. The game went into a shootout, ending in Messi's triumph, as Dibu (again) stopped Kolo Muani's shot, this time from the spot.

So many similarities there and such heartbreaks for the young strikers. Hopefully, both Sesko and Kolo Muani will be able to bounce back, with the latter having a chance to redeem himself on Friday against the very same Portugal, that left Sesko in tears.

EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP - 1/8 FINALS

Saturday

Switzerland - Italy 2-0 (1-0)

/Freuler 37, Vargas 46/

Germany - Denmark 2-0 (0-0)

/Havertz 53 pen, Musiala 68/

Sunday

England - Slovakia 2-1 (0-1) AET

/Bellingham 90+5, Kane 91 - Schranz 25/

Spain - Georgia 4-1 (1-1)

/Rodri 39, Ruiz 51, Williams 75, Olmo 83 - Le Normand 18 og/

Monday

France - Belgium 1-0 (0-0)

/Vertonghen 85 og/

Portugal - Slovenia 3-0 on pen (0-0)

Tuesday

19.00: (8.25) Romania (4.30) Netherlands (1.50)

22.00: (1.95) Austria (3.50) Turkey (4.50)

***odds are subject to change***