Back to back after regulation time and extra time (0-0), Portugal qualified for the quarter-finals at the very end against Slovenia by dominating the penalty shootout 3-0. The Portuguese will face the French team on Friday. Find the highs and lows of the match.
TOPS
Diogo Costa, hero of Portugal
The Portuguese can thank their goalkeeper, who was decisive on Monday night against Slovenia. Author of a more than saving save in the 115th minute of extra time against Sesko, the FC Porto goalkeeper then made three saves on the three Slovenian attempts during the penalty shootout. Exceptional.
Also read: Euro 2024: Portugal beats Slovenia on penalties and will challenge France in the quarter-finals
Ronaldo made up for it
The Portuguese superstar who came up against Jan Oblak, the other great goalkeeper of the evening, on a penalty that could have given the victory to the Portuguese in the 105th minute of play, made up for it perfectly in the penalty shootout. After trying his tears, the Portuguese captain rushed into first position and, this time, beat the Slovenian goalkeeper, opening the way to victory for his country. A model of unfailing mentality.
Also read: Euro 2024: Cristiano Ronaldo’s tears after his missed penalty
Pepe, the eternal Portuguese rock
41 years old, 118 minutes played in the round of 16 of a Euro… Not much to say. The Portuguese central defender has lost none of his brilliance and still shows the same anger and aggressiveness in duels. The other great leader of this Portugal with Cristiano Ronaldo. The FC Porto player is not yet a veteran.
FLOPS
Sesko misses the unmissable
The young Slovenian can blame himself. In the 115th minute of the match, Sesko inherited a ball lost by Pepe on the edge of his penalty area. An unimaginable stroke of luck at that moment in the match that the RB Leipzig striker failed to seize. The 21-year-old player came up against the man of the evening Diogo Costa and will have (very) great regrets.
The Slovenians will have to (really) work on penalties…
Slovenia completely missed the penalty shootout. After 120 minutes of play, it’s a shame… Matjaz Kek’s players took the same three penalties, all of which found Diogo Costa’s firm gloves. 3-0, clean and without a hitch. Not the domain of Benjamin Sesko’s teammates…
