Martinez can rely on more quality with Portugal than is currently available at his previous employer. Midfielder Vitinha is barely one meter 70 tall but a wonderful passer. Left back Nuno Mendes outshines his opponents in speed and technique. Left forward Rafael Leão is a contortionist with seven-league boots. Once he turns on the turbo, the Slovenians simply could not keep up. This Portugal belongs in the quarter finals.
Only: almost every action eventually went to Cristiano Ronaldo, resulting in a series of almost moments, followed by a camera-genic outburst from CR7 every time. A header just missed, just blocked, or just under a cross: did you see that? Even when he misses the chances, he provides his PR, egged on by the crowd that cheered loudly when he got the ball.
Palhina hits the post
Although his pursuit of his first goal of this European Championship soon flirted with the ridiculous. At a free kick on the sideline he stood behind the ball with a lot of show, spread his legs, fixed his hair and from that impossible position he fired the ball meters past the farthest corner. There was also a free kick from the edge of the sixteen, just over. And another one, also from the edge of the sixteen, straight at goalkeeper Jan Oblak. And another one, from about 25 meters, again over. (In major tournaments he now has 1 goal from 60 attempts on a free kick.)
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The other 21 on the pitch were extras, with ten red-greens doing everything they could to make Ronaldo score and eleven whites who, grouped in front of their own goal, did everything they could to make sure that didn’t happen. The old man and the sea of Slovenians. Their fans even brought a Messi shirt to the stadium to taunt the Portuguese star. When, with João Palhinha, one Portuguese not called Ronaldo took his chance and hit the post, the crowd almost looked up in shock.
Goalkeeper Diogo Costa great hero
Supporting role in the spectacle: Benjamin Šeško, eighteen years younger than Ronaldo. The Slovenian striker of RB Leizpig surprised by suddenly accelerating from his own half and passing the twenty-year-older Portuguese defender Pepe. The old warrior was just able to throw the Slovenian Benjamin off balance enough, or it would have been 0-1.
Portugal was busy biting their teeth against a Slovenian defender with all their might. Roberto Martinez intervened and threw in an extra attacker in Diogo Jota. But in the final phase the ultimate chance fell at the feet of… Cristiano Ronaldo, who was appropriately sent down the alley. He fired straight at goalkeeper Oblak.
When Portugal were awarded a penalty in extra time, it seemed that it would finally happen. But the unbelievable happened: Ronaldo, otherwise infallible from the spot, saw his penalty saved by Oblak. Ronaldo burst into tears on the field and even stood with his face turned away from the rest for a moment. Even Hemingway would not have dared to write such a drama.
Fortunately for Portugal, Ronaldo was flawless in the penalty shootout and goalkeeper Diogo Costa is a real penalty specialist – he literally saved every Slovenian penalty. In the quarter finals, France awaits. They still know Roberto Martinez.
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- Portugal advance on penalties against Slovenia
- Oblak saves Ronaldo’s penalty at the end of the first period of extra time, but the Portuguese still scores in the series
- In the quarter finals, France awaits
Home without a winBecause that can also happen in a tournament. The Slovenians have drawn four times, but now have to return home after penalties. Ronaldo and Portugal advance and may face France in the quarter finals.
3-0! Portugal advances. Too bad for the Slovenians and Oblak, but football is so tough.
Costa emerges as man of the match as he saves his third penalty, allowing Bernardo Silva to finish it off.
He also remains flawless and so it is 2-0 for Portugal. If the Slovenians miss now it is already over in this penalty series.
And again Costa chooses the right corner! Portugal gets the chance to count Slovenia out straight away. It is Bruno Fernandez’s turn.
1-0 to the Portuguese, because this time he doesn’t miss! He thanks the Portuguese fans for their support.
Ilicic also misses his penalty in the same corner where Ronaldo kicked it. He now has the chance to correct his mistake from extra time.
We get penaltiesThe fate of both teams now lies in the hands of the football gods. After 120 goalless minutes, this penalty shootout will decide who will face France in the quarter-finals of this European Championship.Extra timeOnly one minute remains before penalties.Print PortugalWill we still get a winner? The Portuguese are doing everything they can to create chances, but the Slovenians don’t want to give up. Costa redt Portugal!The Portuguese were almost eliminated when Pepe left the ball lying there. Sesko could then go one-on-one with Costa, but it was the latter who came out on top. Portugal escaped unscathed!
The Slovenians are awarded a free kick in a nice position, but substitute Ilicic is unable to get his attempt past the wall.
2024-07-01 21:43:21
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