Goalkeeper Diogo Costa was the hero as Portugal advanced to the quarter-finals of EURO 2024 by defeating Slovenia on penalties.
EURO 2024
Result: Portugal 0-0 Slovenia (Portugal won 3-0 on penalties)
Date: 01 July 2024
Venue: Frankfurt Arena
Portugal brought back the regulars that were rested in the defeat against Georgia, as Cristiano Ronaldo was among only three players that retained their places, as he was joined in attack by Rafael Leao, Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes.
The Selecao attacked with intensity in the early exchanges as after 14 minutes, Fernandes had a chance to touch in a cross at the back post but arrived just a second late.
Roberto Martinez's charges continuously searched for Ronaldo with crosses into the box and on the half-hour mark the 39-year-old forward had an effort on target with a header that was smothered by goalkeeper Jan Oblak.
Slovakia absorbed the pressure all the way to halftime but they nearly went to the break a goal behind after Joao Palhinha fired a dangerous shot that missed the post agonizingly wide.
Matjaz Kek's men continued with the same strategy but had more purpose in trying to get behind the Portugal defence as on the hour-mark, Benjamin Sesko raced clear past Pepe and could not find the target one-on-one with goalkeeper Diogo Costa.
As the Selecao struggled to create chances, Roberto Martinez made an attacking change with 25 minutes to go, as he brought on Diogo Jota in place of Vitinha looking for more bite upfront.
The game opened up in the dying minutes and Ronaldo had a big chance to break the deadlock for Portugal after a through ball by Jota but his low shot was saved by Oblak from point-blank range.
Jota continued to be a thorn in the flesh for Slovakia, as just before the first interval of extra-time, the Liverpool forward created a penalty after he was brought down in front of a crowd of defenders on his own.
However, Ronaldo could not capitalize for the Selecao after his spot-kick was well saved by Oblak.
With the game on the edge, Portugal almost lost it towards the end of extra-time after Sesko pounced on a mistake by Pepe and went through on goal but Costa made a crucial save in a one-on-one and the sides were still deadlocked after extra-time and penalty shootouts were needed.
The Selecao won the penalty shootout 3-0 all thanks to Costa after he saved all three first spot-kicks by Slovakia and Portugal did not miss, with Silva scoring the decisive spot-kick.
