Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa saved three Slovenia penalties to earn his aspect a 3-0 shoot-out victory after Cristiano Ronaldo redeemed himself from the spot in a dramatic Euro 2024 final 16 conflict on Monday. Portugal ahead Ronaldo broke down in tears after lacking a penalty within the first interval of extra-time within the goalless tie in Frankfurt. However he recovered to transform within the shoot-out as Portugal scraped via to arrange a blockbuster conflict with France within the quarter-finals. Slovenia battled valiantly to maintain Portugal at bay, with Jan Oblak making a surprising save to maintain out Ronaldo’s penalty after Diogo Jota was fouled.
Nevertheless, Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva all scored within the shoot-out and Slovenia’s trio missed, sending the Selecao via in heart-stopping trend.
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez reverted to a extra acquainted 4-3-3 system after his aspect have been embarrassed by debutants Georgia of their final group sport when he deployed three on the again.
The Euro 2016 winners dominated the ball and created their first probability after 12 minutes when Silva’s inviting cross simply evaded Ronaldo and Fernandes couldn’t flip house on the far put up.
Slovenia, taking part in of their first ever knock-out match at a serious competitors, maintained their defensive form properly and restricted Portugal’s alternatives.
Former Actual Madrid striker Ronaldo directed a delicate header at his outdated nemesis, Atletico Madrid keeper Oblak, beneath very important stress from Vanja Drkusic.
The Slovenian defender was booked moments later for bringing down the surging Rafael Leao as he charged in direction of Oblak’s aim.
Ronaldo smashed the free-kick narrowly over the bar with the goalkeeper at full stretch.
Slovenia produced their first effort on the right track simply earlier than half-time when RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko fired at Costa from the sting of the field.
Portugal’s holding midfielder Joao Palhinha hit the surface of the put up with a low drive, the ultimate kick of the primary half, after extra good work by the menacing Leao.
Ronaldo compelled a stable cease by Oblak with one other venomous free-kick early within the second half because the Al-Nassr ahead tried in useless to interrupt down Slovenia’s defensive wall, which comfortably held England to a goalless draw within the group stage.
Matjaz Kek‘s aspect had a golden probability to take the lead on a uncommon burst ahead, however Sesko dragged vast after beating the oldest participant within the competitors’s historical past, 41-year-old Pepe, for tempo.
Nonetheless decided to attain, Portugal captain Ronaldo thumped yet one more free-kick over the crossbar with 20 minutes remaining.
The striker had an opportunity to settle the sport in open play with two minutes to go however, in down the left, might solely shoot straight at Oblak, resulting in extra-time.
The tempo dipped in extra-time and the primary interval was uneventful, till the 103rd minute when Jota barged into the realm and went down over Drkusic’s leg for a penalty.
Ronaldo fired it arduous to Oblak’s left however the goalkeeper produced a surprising save to disclaim him, tipping his effort towards the put up and out.
In half-time of extra-time, Ronaldo was in tears after his miss, and Portugal followers sang his identify to attempt to increase his shattered morale.
Slovenia missed one other big opening of their very own when Pepe gave the ball away with a unfastened go and Sesko stole it to race via on aim.
The ahead fired too near Costa who produced a wonderful save together 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 requested for forgiveness from the followers behind the aim for his extra-time miss, earlier than Costa saved Slovenia’s second from Jure Balkovec.
Costa made a 3rd consecutive penalty save from Benjamin Verbic after Fernandes transformed and Silva received it as he despatched Oblak the mistaken approach.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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