1st July, 2024
By Kazeem Ugbodaga
Diogo Costa saved all three penalties as Portugal beat stubborn Slovenia 3-0 on penalties to qualify for the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 in Germany.
The match ended goalless after 90 minutes which warranted an extra-time to decide the winner. At the end of 120 minutes, it was still goalless, leading to penalties to determine which country moved to the quarter-finals.
Costa caught all Slovenia’s three penalties, while Portugal converted all their penalties to emerge winner in an epic encounter.
Earlier in the game, Ruben Dias received a fine cross inside the box and attempted to score a goal, but his shot flew just wide off the right post.
In the 13th minute, Bernardo Silva clipped a neat ball into the box in the direction of Bruno Fernandes, but he could not get on the end of the pass.
In the 34th minute, Cristiano Ronaldo took the free kick and curled the ball just over the crossbar.
Two minutes into added time, Joao Palhinha latched onto a pass and let fly at goal from the edge of the box. The shot beat the keeper but smashed against the left post.
Immediately after the break, Bernardo Silva had a great chance inside the box following a rebound off a defender, but somehow he got underneath the ball and it flew high over the bar.
In the 55th minute, Ronaldo released a promising shot from the set piece towards the left post, but Jan Oblak made a save to deny him.
In the 90th minute, Jan Oblak pulled off a great save to deny Ronaldo who made himself some space inside the box and unleashed a quick low drive towards the middle of the goal.
In the 105th minute, Portugal got a penalty to win the match but Oblak made a great save. Ronaldo took the penalty kick. The shot went in the direction of the right post, but Oblak reacted superbly and stopped it.
In the 115th minute, Costa made a brilliant save. Benjamin Sesko easily wove through the defence and unleashed a shot from just outside of the box. His effort went towards the bottom right corner but was saved by the keeper.
