In a night filled with emotion and drama, Cristiano Ronaldo was left in tears after his penalty was saved in extra time.
Despite this setback, Portugal triumphed over Slovenia in a thrilling shootout to secure their place in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals.
The match, which saw Portugal’s iconic captain Ronaldo have his penalty saved by Atletico Madrid’s Jan Oblak, was a rollercoaster of tension and excitement. Consolation from his teammates and chants from the fans helped Ronaldo regain composure.
He then scored Portugal’s first penalty in the shootout, where goalkeeper Diogo Costa’s heroics played a pivotal role by saving all three of Slovenia’s attempts. The winning kick came from Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva, sealing the victory for Portugal.
Throughout the match, Ronaldo was at the center of the action, determined to net his first goal of the tournament. He missed a crucial chance in the dying moments of normal time, his shot straight at Oblak after numerous crosses eluded him.
Despite these missed opportunities, Portugal’s relentless efforts were rewarded in the shootout, thanks in large part to Costa’s exceptional performance.
Ronaldo always fights for them but this time they fought for him.
What a video❤️ pic.twitter.com/X7bLSNO8mr
— Trey (@UTDTrey) July 2, 2024
Portugal had dominated much of the game, nearly taking the lead in the first half when Joao Palhinha hit the post. Slovenia, defending with resilience, had their own moments of opportunity. Benjamin Sesko, in particular, will rue his missed chance in the final minutes of extra time, where Costa made a crucial save with his left foot.
Next, Portugal faces France in the quarter-finals in Hamburg on Friday. Slovenia, meanwhile, exits the tournament after a valiant effort, leaving in the most heartbreaking of ways. Despite the loss, their journey to the knockout stages of a major tournament for the first time in their history is a significant achievement.
Ronaldo’s night was marked by frustration and missed chances, but his presence was felt throughout. His energetic performance, particularly in the first half, saw him express his emotions openly, whether it was throwing his arms skyward or punching the air in frustration. Yet, when it was time to deliver, he fell short.
The match was full of ‘what ifs,’ with both Ronaldo and Slovenia’s Sesko missing critical opportunities. Ultimately, Portugal’s persistence and better chances led them to a deserved victory. Costa’s outstanding individual performance in the shootout cannot be overstated, as it was his saves that kept Portugal’s hopes alive.
As Silva netted the decisive penalty, a wave of relief and elation swept through the Portuguese team, with Ronaldo among those racing to celebrate with Costa.
Slovenia’s fans, who had created a lively and vibrant atmosphere with their flags, drums, and chants, saw their team respond with confidence as the game progressed. Even when Ronaldo’s penalty hit the post, they erupted in celebration.
Although Slovenia’s players gave a strong performance and grew more dangerous on the counter-attack as the game wore on, Oblak’s crucial saves kept them in the match. However, it was not enough to see them through.
Slovenia exits the tournament without a loss in regular or extra time, having drawn all their group matches, including a notable draw against England. They leave Euro 2024 with their heads held high, having made history and given their fans memories to cherish long after the final whistle.