Goalkeeper Diogo Costa saved three shots and Portugal won 3-0 on penalties against a brave Slovenia side who had held out until the scoreless draw after Cristiano Ronaldo missed a spot kick in extra time in a dramatic Euro 2024 round of 16 match on Monday.
Portugal had most of the chances, but also had their goalkeeper to thank for a one-on-one save against Slovenian striker Benjamin Sesko, and a lucky Portugal reached their quarter-final clash with France in Hamburg on Friday.
Costa saved goals from Josip Ilicic, Jure Balkovec and Benjamin Verbic in the penalty shootout to send his side through to the next stage, in a generally lacklustre performance.
Cristiano Ronaldo, in particular, will be watched closely for missing several chances, as well as missing a penalty in extra time that left him in tears and needing comfort from his teammates.
Portugal had a penalty at the end of the first half of extra time, when Diogo Jota’s invasion of the penalty area was stopped by a foul from defender Vanja Drkusic, who had already received a yellow card and was fortunate not to receive a second.
The team has reliable penalty takers such as Bruno Fernandes, but captain Cristiano Ronaldo was chosen to take the penalty and his shot was exceptionally saved by Slovenian goalkeeper Jan Oblak, who pushed the ball onto the post.
Slovenia’s tactics were limited and every time they regained possession they sent a long ball to strikers Andraz Sporar and Sesko to try and do something.
But the strategy worked well and Sesko had two great chances, taking advantage of Pepe’s mistakes, but the first was sent off and the second was stopped by Costa.
The second of those chances was certainly haunting him, and when the pressure of penalties came, his team succumbed to the excellent Portuguese goalkeeper, much to the relief of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Source: Terra
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