Portugal edged past Slovenia on penalties (3-0) after a tense 0-0 draw in a dramatic Euro 2024 Round of 16 clash. The hero of the night was undoubtedly goalkeeper Diogo Costa, who saved three penalties in the shootout to send Portugal through to the quarterfinals, where they’ll face France.
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A Frustrating Night for Ronaldo, Redemption in the Shootout
Portugal started strong, dominating possession and creating early chances. However, Cristiano Ronaldo’s night took a turn for the worse in extra time. After being fouled in the penalty area, he stepped up to take the spot-kick, only to be denied by a phenomenal save from Jan Oblak, Slovenia’s goalkeeper. The miss visibly affected Ronaldo, who was seen in tears during the extra-time break.
Despite the setback, Ronaldo showed his resilience by scoring Portugal’s first penalty in the shootout. This sparked a turnaround, with Costa making three crucial saves to deny Slovenia and secure a dramatic victory for Portugal.
Slovenia Holds Strong, Threatens Upset
Credit must be given to Slovenia, who defended valiantly throughout the match. They frustrated Portugal’s attack, led by the ever-dangerous Rafael Leao, and limited their chances. Slovenia even had their own opportunities, with Benjamin Sesko forcing a good save from Costa in the second half.
A Turning Point in the Match
The turning point arguably came in the 103rd minute of extra time. With the score still deadlocked, Portugal were awarded a penalty after a challenge on Diogo Jota. However, Ronaldo’s penalty was saved brilliantly by Oblak, keeping Slovenia’s hopes alive.
Penalty Drama Secures Portugal’s Passage
The match then went to penalties, a situation Slovenia had never faced before in a major tournament. However, their dream run came to an end as Costa stood tall, saving three penalties to send Portugal through to the next round.
Looking Ahead
Portugal will now face a much stiffer test against France in the quarterfinals. While they’ll be buoyed by their dramatic win, they’ll need to improve their attacking performance to overcome the likes of Kylian Mbappé.
This match offered a rollercoaster of emotions for Portugal fans. They witnessed frustration, resilience, and ultimately, redemption. It sets the stage for an exciting quarterfinal clash against France, with both teams aiming to lift the Euro 2024 trophy.