Portuguese goalkeeper Diogo Costa saved three Slovenia penalties to earn his side a 3-0 shootout victory after Cristiano Ronaldo redeemed himself from the penalty spot in a dramatic Euro 2024 round of 16 clash on Monday. Portuguese striker Ronaldo burst into tears after missing a penalty in the first period of extra time in the goalless tie in Frankfurt. But he recovered to score in the penalty shoot-out as Portugal prepared for a blockbuster clash with France in the quarter-finals. Slovenia fought valiantly to keep Portugal at bay, with Jan Oblak making an impressive save to avoid Ronaldo’s penalty after Diogo Jota’s foul.
However, Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva scored in the penalty shoot-out and the Slovenian trio failed, guaranteeing the Seleção’s qualification in exciting fashion.
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez returned to a more familiar 4-3-3 system after his side were embarrassed by debutants Georgia in the final group game when he deployed three defenders.
The Euro 2016 winners dominated the ball and created their first chance in the 12th minute when Silva’s inviting cross eluded Ronaldo and Fernandes failed to divert it to the far post.
Slovenia, who played their first knockout game in a major competition, maintained their defensive shape well and limited Portugal’s opportunities.
Former Real Madrid striker Ronaldo headed the ball smoothly past his old nemesis, Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Oblak, under vital pressure from Vanja Drkusic.
The Slovenian defender received a yellow card moments later for bringing down Rafael Leão, who was advancing towards Oblak’s goal.
Ronaldo hit the free kick over the post, with the goalkeeper in full action.
Slovenia had their first shot on target just before half-time when RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko shot past Costa from the edge of the box.
Portuguese midfielder João Palhinha hit the post with a low shot, the last shot of the first half, after another good work from the threatening Leão.
Ronaldo forced a solid save from Oblak with another venomous free-kick early in the second half as the Al-Nassr striker tried in vain to break through Slovenia’s defensive wall, which had comfortably held England to a goalless draw in the group stage.
Matjaz Kek’s team had a golden opportunity to take the lead in a rare attack, but Sesko trailed wide after beating the oldest player in the competition’s history, 41-year-old Pepe, in terms of speed.
Still determined to score, Portugal captain Ronaldo sent another free kick over the bar with 20 minutes remaining.
The striker had the chance to resolve the game in open play two minutes from the end, but, on the left, he only managed to shoot straight at Oblak, leading to extra time.
The pace slowed in extra time and the first period passed uneventfully, until the 103rd minute, when Jota invaded the area and fell over Drkusic’s leg to take a penalty.
Ronaldo shot hard to Oblak’s left, but the goalkeeper made an impressive save to deny the goal, deflecting the shot onto the post and out.
At half-time during extra time, Ronaldo cried after the mistake and Portugal fans chanted his name to try to boost his shaken morale.
Slovenia missed another big opening when Pepe lost the ball with a stray pass and Sesko stole it to race home.
The striker shot very close to Costa, who made an excellent save with his leg, forcing a penalty shootout – Slovenia’s first.
Slovenia opened the scoring and substitute Josip Ilicic’s shot was brilliantly saved by Costa.
Ronaldo buried the shot and begged forgiveness from the fans behind the goal for his mistake in extra time, before Costa saved Slovenia’s second goal from Jure Balkovec.
Costa made the third successive save from Benjamin Verbic’s penalty after Fernandes converted and Silva won by sending Oblak the wrong way.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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