Hit the post, missed the penalty – Portugal had to wait a long time in the European Championship round of 16 against outsider Slovenia on Monday (July 1, 2024). The decision was made in a penalty shootout. Portugal’s hero was goalkeeper Diogo Costa.
In the penalty shootout, Costa saved three shots from Slovenia, and it was his big moment. He said: “These are the great moments in football. I am so happy that I was able to help my team.” In the end, Portugal won 3-0, with Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva scoring from the penalty spot.
“That’s football, you can’t explain it,” said Ronaldo. He had missed a penalty in extra time. He took another shot in the penalty shootout – and this time he scored. “Elated and heartbroken – that’s what happens in football.”
For the brave underdog Slovenia, the tournament is over after the round of 16. “Everyone is really disappointed,” Jon Gorenc Stanković told Sportschau. “We played well and can be proud of ourselves.” Portugal will face France in the quarterfinals on Friday evening (July 5, 2024 at 9 p.m.).
Slovenia deciphers Portugal’s relocation tactics
The Portuguese were the dominant team at the start of the match, which was no surprise. When referee Daniele Orsato blew the whistle for half-time, statisticians had recorded Portugal with almost 70 percent possession and 60 percent of duels won, but no goals. Portugal became particularly dangerous when they overloaded one side of the pitch, when they created a numerical advantage there – only to then pass to the other side of the pitch.
This was evident in the 13th minute, for example, when the Portuguese attacked from the right side. Bernardo Silva crossed sharply in front of the goal with his left foot. Cristiano Ronaldo and Vitinha narrowly missed. The Slovenians needed a good twenty minutes before they were able to prevent the Portuguese from shifting their ball around. This allowed the underdog to get into the game a little better.
Bad luck for Portugal: Palhinha only hits the post
But initially only the Portuguese had chances to score. Roberto Martínez’s team was awarded a free kick on the edge of the penalty area in the 34th minute. That was obviously a matter for Ronaldo. He shot high and powerfully, just a few centimeters short. It was Ronaldo’s best moment before the break. He was often on TV, but he rarely looked happy.
There was always something: sometimes he was a step too far forward, then a step too far back. The crosses flew over him. Sometimes the cameras caught him grimacing, tugging at his shirt with both hands. And then it wasn’t Ronaldo who had Portugal’s best chance. That was João Palhinha. He hit the left post with a shot from 18 meters (45.+2).
And the Slovenians? They only had their first shot on goal shortly before the end of the first half. Benjamin Šeško tested Costa with a shot from distance, but he shot the ball into his arms.
Šeško has the lead for the underdog on his feet – but misses
The Portuguese dominated the second half again. In the 55th minute, they were awarded another free kick on the edge of the penalty area. Of course, Ronaldo took care of the dead ball this time too. This time he shot flatter, but precisely at goalkeeper Jan Oblak.
Six minutes later, Ronaldo, 39, watched from a safe distance as Pepe, 41, was forced into a running duel with Slovenia’s Šeško, 21. It didn’t end well for Pepe: Šeško ran past him with the ball, then he stumbled. That’s why he shot wide to the right of the goal.
For a long time it remained that way: Ronaldo has aimed better before
Shortly before the end of regular time, Ronaldo had another chance when he took a pass from Diogo Jota ten meters from the Slovenian goal. But Ronaldo was under pressure, a Slovenian was close to him. So he used his left foot – and again aimed directly at goalkeeper Oblak (89th).
And then came extra time, in which Slovenia’s Vanja Drkušič made a tackle on Diogo Jota, resulting in a penalty for Portugal. Ronaldo stepped up. He shot into the right corner, but Oblak flew there too – and the Slovenian goalkeeper actually saved it. Ronaldo put his hands over his face, then he cried.
Portugal’s goalkeeper decides the game
Slovenia almost won the match in extra time. After Portugal’s Pepe slipped, Slovenia’s Šeško ran towards the goal. But he was stopped by Costa, who made a strong save with his right foot.
It was a small taste of what was to come. In the penalty shootout, Costa saved attempts by Josip Iličič, Jure Balkovec and Benjamin Verbič. He became a penalty hero for an entire nation.
