Portugal narrowly avoided an upset by defeating Slovenia on penalties to advance to the Euro 2024 quarter-finals. The match ended 0-0 after extra time, with Portugal winning 3-0 in the shootout thanks to goalkeeper Diogo Costa’s heroics.
Cristiano Ronaldo had a dramatic night, missing a crucial penalty in extra time, which brought him to tears. However, he redeemed himself by scoring in the shootout. Portugal will now face France in the quarter-finals.
Match Highlights:
- Diogo Costa’s Heroics: Costa saved three penalties in the shootout and made a crucial save from Benjamin Sesko in extra time, securing Portugal’s victory.
- Ronaldo’s Struggles: Ronaldo missed a penalty in extra time but scored in the shootout. He remains without a goal in the tournament despite multiple attempts, including several off-target free-kicks.
- Slovenia’s Valiant Effort: Slovenia defended resolutely throughout the match, with Jan Oblak making a key save from Ronaldo’s penalty in extra time. Despite their efforts, Slovenia’s trio missed all their penalties in the shootout.
Key Moments:
- First Half: Portugal dominated possession, creating early chances. Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva came close, but Slovenia’s defense held firm.
- Extra Time: Portugal earned a penalty when Diogo Jota was fouled, but Ronaldo’s shot was saved by Oblak. Later, Sesko had a golden chance for Slovenia, but Costa saved his one-on-one attempt.
- Shootout: Costa saved penalties from Josip Ilicic, Jure Balkovec, and Benjamin Verbic. Ronaldo, Fernandes, and Silva scored for Portugal, ensuring their passage to the next round.
Ronaldo’s emotional rollercoaster and Costa’s stellar performance were the highlights of a tense match, setting the stage for a thrilling quarter-final clash with France.
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