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, 70 minutes
That will give Portugal a chance, though. Petar Stojanovic catches Nuno Mendes 30 yards out. This might be more to Cristiano Ronaldo’s liking with a bit of extra distance in which to swerve it.
Bernardo Silva is sent away. It will be Ronaldo to strike...
Portugal 0-0 Slovenia, 69 minutes
Slovenia are looking likelier and likelier to nick one. Portugal just seem to have fatigued a little, taking a pause and allowing their opponents to seize the initiative somewhat.
Portugal 0-0 Slovenia, 68 minutes
Diogo Costa is off his line quickly to help out Pepe, beaten again by the pace of one of Slovenia’s forwards in behind. Andraz Sporar was a yard or two short of getting there.
Portugal 0-0 Slovenia, 65 minutes
Rafael Leao had a really lively first half but has been short of impact in the second so far, swallowed up by Zan Karnicnik here as the right-back forces him out of play.
A first alteration, and it’s Roberto Martinez to act. Diogo Jota replaces Vitinha.
Portugal 0-0 Slovenia, 61 minutes
What a chance for Benjamin Sesko! The striker screams an expletive having burst away from a lumbering Pepe, bearing down on Diogo Costa’s goal. But Sesko just loses the run of the ball as it bobbles on this bumpy surface, allowing the defender to get back and force him slightly off balance. Sesko scuffs a left-footed shot away but it’s some distance off line, with Costa not even having to chance a dive.
Still, it’s an opportunity to further swell Slovenia’s growing belief.
Portugal 0-0 Slovenia, 58 minutes
A superb block from Jaka Bijol, heroically hurling himself in front of Palhinha’s cannonball. No way through!
Portugal 0-0 Slovenia, 56 minutes
Slovenia are doing so well on the edge of the box. Again Joao Cancelo manufactures an opportunity having made inroads up the right, yet as first Vitinha and then Joao Palhinha ready to release a shot, they are met by an advancing white wall of committed blockers.
Portugal 0-0 Slovenia, 55 minutes
Ronaldo hits the target, stinging the palms of Jan Oblak, whose feet remained fixed with the shot straight at him.
Portugal 0-0 Slovenia, 54 minutes
Joao Cancelo is Portugal’s most vibrant attacking threat so far in the half, the right-back fouled on the edge of the Slovenia box by Adam Gnezda Cerin. The selection committee gather as Portugal try to figure out who will take the free kick; in marches a despotic Cristiano Ronaldo to decide for them.
Portugal 0-0 Slovenia, 52 minutes
Petar Stojanovic and Cristiano Ronaldo have a coming together, each giving the other a bump and a biff. Referee Daniele Orsato restores order before it inflames any further.
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