Slovenia battled valiantly to keep Portugal at bay, with Jan Oblak making a stunning save in extra time to keep out Ronaldo’s penalty after Diogo Jota was fouled.
Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa spared three Slovenia punishments to win his side a 3-0 shoot-out triumph after Cristiano Ronaldo recovered himself from the spot in a emotional Euro 2024 final 16 clash on Monday.
Portugal forward Ronaldo broke down in tears after lost a punishment in the to begin with period of extra-time in the goalless tie in Frankfurt. But he recuperated to change over in the shoot-out as Portugal scratched through to set up a blockbuster clash with France in the quarter-finals.
Slovenia combat valiantly to keep Portugal at inlet, with Jan Oblak making a dazzling spare to keep out Ronaldo’s punishment after Diogo Jota was fouled.
However, Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva all scored in the shoot-out and Slovenia’s trio missed, sending the Selecao through in heart-stopping fashion.
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez returned to a more commonplace 4-3-3 framework after his side was humiliated by debutant Georgia in its final bunch diversion when he conveyed three at the back.
The Euro 2016 victor overwhelmed the ball and made its to begin with chance after 12 minutes when Silva’s welcoming cross fair avoided Ronaldo and Fernandes might not turn domestic at the distant post.
Slovenia, playing in its first-ever knock-out coordinate at a major competition, kept up its protective shape well and restricted Portugal’s opportunities.
Former Genuine Madrid striker Ronaldo coordinated a delicate header at his ancient foe, Atletico Madrid attendant Oblak, beneath crucial weight from Vanja Drkusic.
The Slovenian shield was booked minutes afterward for bringing down the surging Rafael Leao as he charged towards Oblak’s goal.
Ronaldo crushed the free-kick barely over the bar with the goalkeeper at full stretch.
Slovenia created its to begin with exertion on target fair some time recently half-time when RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko terminated at Costa from the edge of the box.
Portugal’s holding midfielder Joao Palhinha hit the exterior of the post with a moo drive, the last kick of the to begin with half, after more great work by the threatening Leao
Ronaldo constrained a strong halt by Oblak with another venomous free-kick early in the moment half as the Al-Nassr forward attempted in unsuccessful to break down Slovenia’s cautious divider, which comfortably held Britain to a goalless draw in the gather stage.
Matjaz Kek’s side had a brilliant chance to take the lead on a uncommon burst forward, but Sesko dragged wide after beating the most seasoned player in the competition’s history, 41-year-old Pepe, for pace.
Still decided to score, Portugal captain Ronaldo pounded however another free-kick over the crossbar with 20 minutes remaining.
The striker had a chance to settle the diversion in open play with two minutes to go but, in down the cleared out, might as it were shoot straight at Oblak, driving to extra-time.
The pace plunged in extra-time and the to begin with period was uneventful, until the 103rd diminutive when Jota jumped into the range and went down over Drkusic’s leg for a penalty.
Ronaldo terminated it difficult to Oblak’s cleared out but the goalkeeper delivered a staggering spare to deny him, tipping his exertion against the post and out.
In half-time of extra-time, Ronaldo was in tears after his miss, and Portugal fans sang his title to attempt to raise his smashed morale.
Slovenia missed another colossal opening of its possess when Pepe gave the ball absent with a free pass and Sesko stole it to race through on goal.
The forward terminated as well near to Costa who created an great spare with his leg, constraining a punishment shoot-out — Slovenia’s to begin with ever.
Slovenia went to begin with and substitute Josip Ilicic’s exertion was brilliantly spared by Costa.
Ronaldo buried his kick and inquired for absolution from the fans behind the objective for his extra-time miss, some time recently Costa spared Slovenia’s moment from Jure Balkovec.
Costa made a third sequential punishment spare from Benjamin Verbic after Fernandes changed over and Silva won it as he sent Oblak the off-base way. Know More Latest Football News…
