Portugal v Slovenia LIVE: Result as Diogo Costa saves Cristiano Ronaldo’s blushes in Euro 2024 penalty shootout
Cristiano Ronaldo and his talented Portugal team booked a quarter-final place at Euro 2024
Bernardo Silva struck the winning spot kick and Diogo Costa made three saves as Portugal won a penalty shootout 3-0 against battling Slovenia to reach the quarter-finals at Euro 2024 where they will meet France.
After a scoreless 90 minutes, Cristiano Ronaldo had a chance to put Portugal ahead from the penalty spot in the first half of extra time, but Jan Oblak saved brilliantly to leave the Portuguese captain in tears.
Neither side could fashion a goal and the game went to penalties, with Josep Ilicic having the first kick saved for the Slovenians before Ronaldo put his side ahead, and when Jure Balkovec’s spot kick was saved the writing was on the wall.
Costa then saved from Benjamin Verbic, setting Silva up to confidently slot home the winner to put Portugal through to the last eight and a meeting with the French in Hamburg on Friday.
Follow all the reaction from Portugal v Slovenia in Frankfurt below.
Portugal 0-0 Slovenia, 24 minutes
Bruno Fernandes is being tracked diligently by Timi Elsnik, the midfielder communicating really effectively with his back four to pass Fernandes off when required. Slovenia seem to have found solidity in their structure again after that bright Portuguese spell a little earlier.
Portugal 0-0 Slovenia, 22 minutes
In Andraz Sporar and Benjamin Sesko, Slovenia do possess two dangerous channel runners, though those behind aren’t quite getting their forward lofts right. A first attempt to free one of the strikers bounces all the way through to Diogo Costa, while a second is rather elegantly pulled down by Nuno Mendes having not quite been flighted enough.
Mendes is down again, though, this time tender in the hip area by the looks of things. No treatment required, but the left-back is rather in the wars.
Portugal 0-0 Slovenia, 19 minutes
A potentially sore one for Nuno Mendes, getting his ankle trapped beneath a sliding Peter Stojanovic as the Slovenia right midfielder takes the ball away. It appears that the full-back has escaped injury, though there’s a bit of a hobble as he trudges to the touchline.
Portugal 0-0 Slovenia, 18 minutes
A predictable pattern to the game, with Portugal dominating the ball and Slovenia trying to spring on the counter. Andraz Sporar is furious when a high boot from Vitinha is waved in the general vicinity of his forehead, but there’s no brush of studs on the Slovenia striker, whose theatrics are thus thoroughly uncalled for. Daniele Orsato tells him as much.
Portugal 0-0 Slovenia, 16 minutes
Cristiano Ronaldo hits the floor inside the Slovenia box, but Vanja Drkusic has got his defending spot on, enough of a nudge to knock the striker off balance as they contest in the air but not enough to prompt sanction from the referee.
Portugal 0-0 Slovenia, 15 minutes
Petar Stojanovic has played most of his club football at right-back in recent years, and that defensive acumen will be required tonight. He helps out Zan Karnicnik against Rafael Leao’s tricky feet, making a timely tackle.
Portugal 0-0 Slovenia, 13 minutes
Vitinha extricates himself from a huddle of three Slovenia shirts, keeping the momentum flowing. Bernardo Silva is used on the right and cuts in on his right boot, bending it towards the far post and between both Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes. Each of them fails to find a telling touch - but Portugal are pushing closer and closer.
Portugal 0-0 Slovenia, 11 minutes
Roberto Martinez gesticulates with his side, directing traffic on the touchline with Nuno Mendes and Rafael Leao taking on instructions. Joao Cancelo on the other flank is tucking in at times to try and create extra passing feet in midfield as Portugal begin to zip it about with real poise.
Portugal 0-0 Slovenia, 8 minutes
A rare poor touch in front of goal from Cristiano Ronaldo. Portugal inject tempo for the first time and Rafael Leao’s cute pass appears to have teed up the veteran striker. A heavy touch takes him too close to the retreating defence, and Jan Oblak is, in the end, not troubled by a shot with Ronaldo squeezed out.
Portugal 0-0 Slovenia, 7 minutes
Vanja Drkusic pushes up on to Bruno Fernandes, though clips the Manchester United midfielder’s heels as he tries to force a tackle. Portugal are thus able to load the box, but Vitinha overcooks his delivery and Pepe is unable to hook it back into play.
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