Ronaldo relieved as Portugal beat Slovenia in shootout to reach quarters

Portugal’s Diogo Costa with teammates celebrate after winning the penalty shoot-out against Slovenia in a Euro 2024 last-16 fixture in Frankfurt on July 1, 2024. [R] Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after he scores a penalty during the shoot-out. Photo: Reuters

Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa saved three Slovenia penalties to earn his side a 3-0 shoot-out victory after Cristiano Ronaldo redeemed himself from the spot in a dramatic Euro 2024 last 16 clash on Monday.

Portugal forward Ronaldo broke down in tears after missing a penalty in the first period of extra-time in the goalless tie in Frankfurt.

But he recovered to convert in the shoot-out as Portugal scraped through to set up a blockbuster clash with France in the quarter-finals.

Slovenia battled valiantly to keep Portugal at bay, with Jan Oblak making a stunning save to keep out Ronaldo’s penalty after Diogo Jota was fouled.

However, Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva all scored in the shoot-out and Slovenia’s trio missed, sending the Selecao through in heart-stopping fashion.

Portugal coach Roberto Martinez reverted to a more familiar 4-3-3 system after his side were embarrassed by debutants Georgia in their last group game when he deployed three at the back.

The Euro 2016 winners dominated the ball and created their first chance after 12 minutes when Silva’s inviting cross just evaded Ronaldo and Fernandes could not turn home at the far post.

Slovenia, playing in their first ever knock-out match at a major competition, maintained their defensive shape well and limited Portugal’s opportunities.

Former Real Madrid striker Ronaldo directed a soft header at his old nemesis, Atletico Madrid keeper Oblak, under vital pressure from Vanja Drkusic.

The Slovenian defender was booked moments later for bringing down the surging Rafael Leao as he charged towards Oblak’s goal.

Ronaldo smashed the free-kick narrowly over the bar with the goalkeeper at full stretch.

Slovenia produced their first effort on target just before half-time when RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko fired at Costa from the edge of the box.

Portugal’s holding midfielder Joao Palhinha hit the outside of the post with a low drive, the final kick of the first half, after more good work by the menacing Leao.

Ronaldo forced a solid stop by Oblak with another venomous free-kick early in the second half as the Al-Nassr forward tried in vain to break down Slovenia’s defensive wall, which comfortably held England to a goalless draw in the group stage.

Matjaz Kek’s side had a golden chance to take the lead on a rare burst forward, but Sesko dragged wide after beating the oldest player in the competition’s history, 41-year-old Pepe, for pace.

Still determined to score, Portugal captain Ronaldo thumped yet another free-kick over the crossbar with 20 minutes remaining.

The striker had a chance to settle the game in open play with two minutes to go but, in down the left, could only shoot straight at Oblak, leading to extra-time.

Oblak thwarts Ronaldo

The pace dipped in extra-time and the first period was uneventful, until the 103rd minute when Jota barged into the area and went down over Drkusic’s leg for a penalty.

Ronaldo fired it hard to Oblak’s left but the goalkeeper produced a stunning save to deny him, tipping his effort against the post and out.

In half-time of extra-time, Ronaldo was in tears after his miss, and Portugal fans sang his name to try to raise his shattered morale.

Slovenia missed another huge opening of their own when Pepe gave the ball away with a loose pass and Sesko stole it to race through on goal.

The forward fired too close to Costa who produced an excellent save with his leg, forcing a penalty shoot-out — Slovenia’s first ever.

Slovenia went first and substitute Josip Ilicic’s effort was brilliantly saved by Costa.

Ronaldo buried his kick and asked for forgiveness from the fans behind the goal for his extra-time miss, before Costa saved Slovenia’s second from Jure Balkovec.

Costa made a third consecutive penalty save from Benjamin Verbic after Fernandes converted and Silva won it as he sent Oblak the wrong way.

Related Posts

La pasión secreta de Lionel Messi por el baloncesto se revela cuando lleva a su familia a los partidos de la NBA

La reconocida leyenda del fútbol Lionel Messi no sólo ha cautivado a los fanáticos con sus extraordinarias habilidades en el campo de fútbol, ​​sino que también ha encantado a los…

Read more

Defendiendo el título de la Copa América, Lionel Messi está listo para el próximo partido de cuartos de final ante Ecuador

  .   .   .

Read more

Arabia Saudita dio una bienvenida particularmente dulce a Lionel Messi

Arabia Saudita dio una bienvenida particularmente dulce a Messi      

Read more

57 Cute Winter Nails Designs + Art Ideas for the 2023-2024 Season

The temperatures are dropping and the days are getting shorter, and that means it’s officially time to break out our favorite winter nails and nail art design ideas! Nothing helps…

Read more

58 Cute Summer Nails Designs and Ideas to Brighten Up Any Look

The days are getting longer, our feeds are getting brighter, and we’re itching for a style refresh — starting with our summer nails! If you’re anything like us, then summer…

Read more

Admire The Rock’s $64M private jet, where he and his daughter explore the beautiful sky

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, an actor, just bought a Gulfstream G650 private jet for a lot of money. The $800 mιllιon actor’s pᴜrchase reflects his hectic schedule and demand for…

Read more

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *