In a dramatic encounter at the Frankfurt Arena, Portugal secured their spot in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals by defeating Slovenia 3-0 in a penalty shootout. This intense match, marked by a scoreless 90 minutes and a roller-coaster of emotions for Cristiano Ronaldo, culminated in Portugal advancing to face France on July 5.
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A Roller-Coaster Extra Time
The game remained goalless through regular time, forcing the match into extra time. Cristiano Ronaldo had a golden opportunity to break the deadlock in the first half of extra time when Portugal was awarded a penalty. However, Slovenian goalkeeper Jan Oblak made a brilliant save, denying Ronaldo and leaving the Portuguese captain visibly distraught.
Despite this setback, Ronaldo’s teammates rallied around him, and Portugal managed to hold Slovenia at bay for the remainder of extra time. A critical moment came when Diogo Costa, Portugal’s goalkeeper, made a crucial save against Slovenia’s rising star Benjamin Šeško, who had capitalized on a rare mistake by veteran defender Pepe. Costa’s quick reflexes kept Portugal’s hopes alive and sent the match into a penalty shootout.
Heroics in the Shootout
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In the penalty shootout, Ronaldo stepped up first for Portugal and redeemed himself by confidently converting his penalty. Diogo Costa then turned in a historic performance, saving all three of Slovenia’s penalty attempts. Costa’s heroics made him the first goalkeeper in European Championship history to save three penalties in a shootout.
Portugal, on the other hand, was flawless in their penalty attempts. Bernardo Silva scored the decisive fourth penalty, sealing Portugal’s victory and sending them through to the quarter-finals.
An Emotional Night for Ronaldo
For Cristiano Ronaldo, the night was a mix of frustration and redemption. Despite his impressive career and record-breaking presence at six European Championships, the 39-year-old has struggled to find his scoring touch at Euro 2024. Monday’s match added to his woes, as he failed to score during regular play and missed a crucial penalty in extra time.
Ronaldo, who has scored a world record 130 international goals, has now gone seven matches without a goal in major international tournaments. His inability to score has raised questions about his role in the team, although his leadership and presence on the field remain invaluable.
Historical Context
Ronaldo’s long-time teammate Pepe also made history during the match. At 41 years and 126 days old, Pepe became the oldest player to appear in a knockout stage match in a major tournament, surpassing former England goalkeeper Peter Shilton.
Looking Ahead
Portugal’s victory sets up a highly anticipated quarter-final clash with France. Ronaldo will have another chance to find the back of the net and could become the oldest goalscorer in European Championship history if he succeeds. Despite his recent struggles, his determination and ability to deliver in crucial moments make him a key player to watch.
For now, Portugal celebrates a hard-fought victory and prepares for their next challenge. With Diogo Costa’s stellar performance and a resilient team spirit, they remain a formidable contender in Euro 2024.
