After a tremendous battle, Portugal beat Slovenia 3-0 on penalties after a goalless draw and secured their place in the quarter-finals, where they would face France. The Slovenians fought bravely and defended incredibly, while Ronaldo missed the penalty in the first extra time to end the game before the shoot-out and then burst into tears! Diogo Costa was the hero, saving all three shots from the spot!In theory, Portugal was a favourite to advance to the quarter-final ahead of the round of 16 clash. However, the Navigators’ embarrassing defeat by Georgia revealed all their weaknesses, regardless of Roberto Martínez’s choice to rest some players and mix the starting lineup up. Slovenia, on the other hand, had the unity and courage they had shown in a goalless draw against England, as well as Benjamin Šeško, whose five shots so far in the tournament were yet to find the net.Taught by the experience from the Georgia game, Martínez sent the strongest team with Cristiano Ronaldo, who’s had a seven-game drought at major competitions, Rafael Leão who returned after suspension, and Bernardo Silva as the attacking trio, to the pitch, while the Slovenian gaffer Matjaž Kek made only one change, forced though – Erik Janža was suspended due to yellow cards and Jure Balkovec took his place at the left-back.Rúben Dias noted the game’s first attempt five minutes into the match, snatching at a shot that went far wide after the corner. In the 13th minute, Silva delivered a cross from the right, which was too high for Ronaldo, and Bruno Fernandes couldn’t send it home, sliding in at the back post. Up until the 34th minute, nothing interesting happened on the field. Portugal was awarded a free kick at around 25 meters, and (of course) CR7 took it but sent it inches over the crossbar.RONALDO IS CRYING. 😢THIS IS SO SAD!!! 💔 pic.twitter.com/VQHTap9le6— UF (@UtdFaithfuls) July 1, 2024 Five minutes later, the 39-year-old attempted again from another free kick and sent it wide, although the position was much more suitable for a cross than a direct shot. Slovenia became dangerous only in the last few minutes of the first half. Initially, Šeško had a blast that flew straight into Diogo Costa’s hands. Afterwards, Jaka Bijol’s header went wide after a corner. The second minute of added time brought the best chance of the game, when João Palhinha tried from the edge of the box but the ball grazed off the right post.A goalless half usually indicates a game without many notable events, and that’s what this game’s first half was. Truth be said, both teams had some attempts, Palhinha’s being the most dangerous one, but the impression was that Slovenia’s defence was very organized, and at the same time, Portugal’s offence was uncreative and mild. In the end, only two shots on target (one for each team) perfectly described what we had seen during the first period.The 14th game of Euro 2024 to be goalless at half-time.That’s as many as in the whole of Euro 2020. pic.twitter.com/uz3OVOkJqr— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) July 1, 2024 Two minutes into the second half, João Cancelo’s twists and turns into the box indicated the new energy among the Portuguese. That attack ended with Silva’s attempt, but Man City’s midfielder drove it over on his left foot. One more time Cancelo proved that he was the most active Portugal’s player in the 54th minute when he managed to get a dangerous 20-meter free kick for his team. The third time was not a charm for Cristiano. This time it went on target but Jan Oblak easily parried it away. Šeško showed he was Slovenia’s fastest player and one of the fastest at the EURO 2024 in the 62nd minute, burning past Pepe and through on goal but dragging the shot well wide.France win on their own (goal)!Martínez knew there was no time to wait and decided to improve his team’s attack by sending Diogo Jota in for Vitinha. Eighteen minutes before the end, Ronaldo’s free kick number four went, once again, way over the bar. Kek reacted for the first time in the 74th minute, subbing Jon Gorenc-Stanković and Žan Celar in for Andraž Šporar and Jan Mlakar, while Martínez sent his golden sub Francisco Conceição, who scored a late winner against Czech Republic, to the pitch for indisposed Leão. The Slovenians perfectly moved in the defensive zone, leaving no room for Portugal’s fast players like Cancelo or Jota, while Ronaldo was completely cut off in the attack.The EURO champions’ 1/8 finals curse is still onIn the 89th minute, Cristiano had the best chance in the game. Jota slipped through Ronaldo, who had a clear sight of the goal for the first time tonight, but his effort went straight at Oblak. That was the last opportunity of the match, and everything was set for extra time. Portugal’s game control was not enough for the win, especially given that Martínez’s team had no clear vision of how to break through Slovenia’s defence. On the other hand, Kek’s squad showed that the goalless draw against England was not a coincidence and that his team knew how to play against the favourites.Cristiano Ronaldo has attempted four free-kick shots in this match.No one has recorded more in a single Euros/World Cup game since Gheorghe Hagi tallied five against Sweden at the 1994 World Cup. pic.twitter.com/gyXUCv2lHB— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) July 1, 2024 The first half of extra time was same old, same old. Benjamin Verbič’s blocked shot and Jota’s mild header were the only moments worth mentioning. While the Slovenians didn’t deviate from their tactics, the Portuguese became increasingly frustrated and nervous as the end of the game approached. And then in the 103rd minute, Liverpool’s winger burst through the middle and was fouled by Vanja Drkušić inside the area, making Daniele Orsato point to the spot. Ronaldo struck it towards the bottom, but Oblak superbly pushed it away, making Cristiano burst into tears!Two minutes into the second period of the extra time, Palhinha flicked a header, but the incredible Slovenian goalkeeper nudged it over the bar. The fatigue started to take its toll, and Pepe stumbled, letting Šeško take the ball and run clean through on goal. Costa stuck out his left leg and made a huge save! Immediately after that situation the 41-year-old left the pitch with Rúben Neves replacing him. Nélson Semedo was also subbed in for Cancelo. After one minute of added time, Orsato blew the whistle, and everything was ready for the penalty shoot-out.SESKO FAILS TO SCORE A HUGE CHANCE AFTER A MASSIVE MISTAKE BY PEPE!#EURO2024 #PORSVN pic.twitter.com/rdMANLvsSR— Fernansh Era (@BrunoFernanshh) July 1, 2024 The veteran Josip Iličić was the first to shoot, but Diogo Costa made an incredible save! Cristiano was calmer this time, although Oblak was close again. Balkovec stepped up in the second series, and Costa saved it again, while Fernandes sent it home for Portugal. Third series – the same story! Porto’s goalie made a hat-trick of penalty saves, deflecting Verbič’s strike! Bernardo Silva then made it 3-0 on penalties and launched his team to the quarter-finals, where France awaits.EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP – 1/8 FINALSSaturdaySwitzerland – Italy 2-0 (1-0)/Freuler 37, Vargas 46/Germany – Denmark 2-0 (0-0)/Havertz 53 pen, Musiala 68/SundayEngland – 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/MondayFrance – Belgium 1-0 (0-0)/Vertonghen 85 og/Portugal – Slovenia 3-0 on pen (0-0)Tuesday19.00: (8.25) Romania (4.30) Netherlands (1.50)22.00: (1.95) Austria (3.50) Turkey (4.50)***odds are subject to change***
