PortugalSlovenia
A match with many faces and at least as many trembling knees. Portugal did not qualify for the 1/8 finals without sweating. Cristiano Ronaldo had victory at his feet with a penalty in extra time, but missed. Sesko also incomprehensibly missed the neck shot. CR7 made up for his mistake in the penalty shootout, where goalkeeper Costa crowned himself the hero of the nation. France awaits in the quarter finals!
Highlights Portugal – Slovenia
Portugal – Slovenia in a nutshell:
With a few minutes left in the extra time, Benjamin Sesko suddenly gets the chance to give Portugal the final blow after a rare mistake by Pepe. Face to face with Costa, he decides to shoot at the goalkeeper. Slovenian stunt gone and in the penalty series the Slovenians then painfully go under. The Leipzig attacker will lose sleep over this for a while.
He barely had to do any work for an entire match and yet Diogo Costa ultimately emerged as the match winner. The goalkeeper kept Portugal upright at the end of extra time when Sesko, who had broken through, appeared in front of him. He also made three saves in the penalty shootout, a feat no one has done before him at a European Championship.
Pepe showed his worth for Portugal again tonight, although one misstep almost had fatal consequences. At 41 years and 126 days old, the defender is now officially the oldest player to ever play in a knockout match at a European Championship or World Cup. He takes the record from former English goalkeeper Peter Shilton.
Portugal can’t capitalise on dominance
Number 57 against number 6. Based on the FIFA ranking, Slovenia had no chance against Portugal, but the Slovenians had kept Denmark, Serbia and England in check in the group stage, so it was still important to watch out for the team of Roberto Martinez, the former national coach of the Belgians.
Yet the difference in class was immediately apparent in Frankfurt. Not on the scoreboard, but on the field. Ronaldo in particular claimed a leading role, but it was just not for the Portuguese star player time and again. Also on a free kick, which he fired just over the goal.
Towards the end of the first half, Slovenia came under the Portuguese pressure a few times. With a crucial intervention, Mendes took the sting out of a dangerous counter and Sesko even put Costa to work for a while.
Just before half-time, Portugal came closest to the opening goal when Leão passed the ball back to Palhinha in the box. He took a quick shot and saw his shot lick the post.
Ronaldo and co crash into Slovenian wall
In the second half, “just not” remained the common thread for the Portuguese. Cancelo paved the way twice with magic tricks on the right, but Bernardo Silva shot wildly over and Vitinha was blocked. Ronaldo also had no luck, he fired a free kick straight at Oblak.
It was an unpleasant match for Roberto Martinez’s team. Portugal also got off lightly when Slovenia suddenly came up with a razor-sharp counter. On his way to goal, Sesko couldn’t quite shake off the tireless Pepe, his cracked shot went wide.
Portugal continued to search for the liberating goal, but could not breach the Slovenian wall in the final phase of regular time. Not even Ronaldo, who aimed the ultimate chance weakly at Oblak. Extra time in Frankfurt.
Costa guides Portugal to the quarter-finals
Halfway through extra time, Ronaldo was in tears, the Portuguese superstar had to be comforted by his teammates. Just before that, he had missed the chance to give Portugal the lead, with a brilliant save from Oblak pushing his penalty against the post.
But Slovenia also came very close to the winning goal. After a rare mistake by senior Pepe, Sesko was suddenly able to storm towards goal alone, but he could not get the ball past Costa.
The Portuguese goalkeeper emerged as the match winner in the penalty shootout. Ilicic, Balkovec and Verbic were all saved by Costa, while Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva scored.
Portugal thus escapes through the eye of the needle and can prepare for the quarter finals against France. Slovenia leaves the European Championship without a win, but with their heads held high.
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Step by step
End
Sadness for the Slovenians. After a strong European Championship, they go out on penalties. Costa is the big hero for the Portuguese. He kept Sesko from the winning goal in extra time and did not let a single penalty go in. Portugal will face France on Friday.
Portugal to the quarterfinals!
Bernardo Silva decides the battle. He neatly converts his penalty, Portugal is in the quarter finals.
Three out of three for Costa!
Unbelievable! Verbic also can’t score for Slovenia. Costa saves again.
Quietly converted
Bruno Fernandes calmly converts the penalty. Portugal are 2-0 up.
Costa saves again!
Aiai, Slovenia. Balkovec also runs into a save from Costa. Things are looking good for Portugal.
Ronaldo scores!
Ronaldo can give Portugal the lead and this time he can beat Oblak. He chooses the right corner, but the penalty was perfectly taken.
Cost redt!
Ilicic should be the first to strike for Slovenia. Costa chooses the right angle and saves! False start for Slovenia.
Penalty’s!
Ronaldo could have done the job for Portugal, Sesko for Slovenia. Neither succeeded and so penalties will have to decide who advances to the quarter-finals. France will be happy to see it happen.
There will be 1 minute of added time.
2024-07-01 21:26:57
#Portugal #advance #quarterfinals #trembling #knees #penalty #shootout #Slovenia
