A more immature goalkeeper would have sulked after being beaten on penalties.
The harshest of critics will say that Gianluigi Buffon should have done better with Jonas Hector’s spot-kick that squirmed under the Italian stopper to knock the Azzurri out of Euro 2016.
Germany progress to a semi-final clash with the winners of France/Iceland.
It was the first time that Germany beat Italy in a major tournament but Buffon was not prepared to think about himself for a moment as he admirably rushed to congratulate his opposite number Manuel Neuer, as well as a number of outfielders who he had just faced from from 12 yards.
It’s no surprise that the 38-year-old stopper took the time out to give credit where it’s due as you may remember that Buffon was the first man to embrace Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane following the Republic of Ireland’s group E victory over Italy two weeks ago.
This is one of the 17,864 reasons why we love 'Gigi' so much #ITA https://t.co/oo1NLNWK7I
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) June 25, 2016
What a guy!
