Portugal secured a place in the Euro 2024 quarterfinals after edging out Slovenia in a penalty shootout. The two teams failed to score in regulation time or extra time, forcing the match into a penalty shootout, which marked the first of the tournament.
Diogo Costa emerged as the hero for the Portuguese, saving three consecutive penalties from Josip Ilicic, Jure Balkovic, and Benjamin Verbic. Portugal, on the other hand, converted their penalties through Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, and Bernardo Silva.
This victory sets up a quarterfinal clash between Ronaldo and company and France.
Portugal started the match more actively, with Bruno Fernandes delivering a dangerous cross into the penalty area in the 4th minute, but Jan Oblak managed to tip it over for a corner.
Portugal’s pressure continued in the opening minutes. In the 13th minute, Bernardo Silva crossed well, and Cristiano Ronaldo attempted to connect with a header, but he missed by inches. Bruno Fernandes also failed to keep the ball in play.
In the 25th minute, Bruno Fernandes broke into the penalty area and shot straight into the hands of Jan Oblak. There was also a signal for a handball against the Portuguese player.
The ball reached Cristiano Ronaldo in the 31st minute. He headed it, but too weakly, and Oblak caught the ball without any problem.
In the 33rd minute, Ronaldo fired a powerful free kick, but the ball went over the crossbar.
In the closing minutes of the first half, the Slovenians made some good attacks. Sesko shot from distance, but he didn’t trouble Diogo Costa in any way.
Literally in the last second of the first half, the Portuguese missed the target. João Palhinha shot from the edge of the penalty area, and the ball went just inches past the goal.
Right at the start of the second half, Bernardo Silva shot from a good distance towards goal, but his effort went wide.
Portugal had another chance to take a free kick in the 55th minute. Cristiano Ronaldo was again the player who stepped up to the ball. Ronaldo took a very powerful shot, but Jan Oblak managed to punch it away.
In the 61st minute, Benjamin Sesko took the ball and showed excellent pace, outrunning Pepe. Sesko went through on goal but shot disappointingly and didn’t even force Costa to intervene.
In the 72nd minute, Ronaldo tried to find the back of the net from another free kick, but the ball went over the goal.
Ronaldo had a great chance to beat Oblak’s goal just a minute before the end of regular time. He was played into the penalty area in an incredible way and found himself one-on-one with the Slovakian goalkeeper. Ronaldo shot with his left foot, but Jan Oblak made a brilliant save.
The two teams still couldn’t score in 90 minutes, which meant extra time was next.
In the 105th minute, Ronaldo missed a penalty! Diogo Jota broke into the penalty area, where Vanya Drkusic brought him down. Referee Daniele Orsato didn’t hesitate and pointed to the spot. Ronaldo stepped up to take the penalty, but Jan Oblak made a brilliant save!
In the 115th minute, Benjamin Sesko missed a unique opportunity to put Portugal to bed! He found himself one-on-one with Diogo Costa. Sesko shot, but the Portugal goalkeeper stood tall and saved.
Neither Portugal nor Slovenia scored until the end of the second extra time, which meant the match had to be decided by the first penalty shootout of Euro 2024.
In the penalty shootout, Diogo Costa was like a wall and saved 3 consecutive penalties. In turn, the Portuguese converted all their penalties to win the match.
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