Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa saved three penalties in the shoot-out against Slovenia, after Cristiano Ronaldo had missed one in extra-time, to send his side into the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 after a night of high drama in Frankfurt.
Slovenia, the lowest ranked side left in the competition, had battled their way through a goalless 90 minutes, and went close themselves through Benjamin Sesko.
Ronaldo – who had seen several free-kicks fly off target – then stepped up with a penalty in the first period of extra-time, but goalkeeper Jan Oblak made a brilliant save at full stretch.
Sesko then spurned a chance to win it for Slovenia when a slip from veteran defender Pepe saw him race clear, only for Costa to pull off a superb block.
Porto keeper Costa then saved all three of Slovenia’s opening spot-kicks, with Ronaldo converting his before Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva slotted in the winning penalty to secure a quarter-final against France in Hamburg on Friday.
Looking to produce a response from the shock defeat to Georgia in their final Group F game, Portugal had made a positive start.
Rafael Leao’s surging run was halted by a sliding tackle from Vanja Drkusic at the edge of the penalty area. Ronaldo then sent the free-kick just over the crossbar and Joao Palhinha drilled a low 18-yard shot narrowly wide of the far post.
Early in the second half, Ronaldo was given another opportunity with a free-kick around 20 yards out, which he fired through the wall but straight at Oblak.
Slovenia had make it to the knockout stage at the Euros for the first time on the back of three battling draws in Group C, including holding England to a goalless stalemate in Cologne.
After soaking up so much pressure, Matjaz Kek’s side looked to hit Portugal on the break with Sesko bursting away down the left and into the penalty area – but veteran defender Pepe made up enough ground to force the striker to scuff his shot wide.
With two minutes left, substitute Diogo Jota played Ronaldo into the left side of the Slovenia area, but his low shot was too close to Oblak as the match went to extra-time.
Portugal were awarded a penalty in the 105th minute when Jota charged down the centre and was bundled over by Drkusic.
Ronaldo stepped up to fire the ball towards the bottom right corner – but Atletico Madrid keeper Oblak produced a stunning save at full stretch to push it onto the post.
The Portugal captain was in tears during the brief interval, having to be consoled by his team-mates before returning to the pitch for the final 15 minutes, while Slovenia boss Kek had been shown a straight red card so watched the rest of the game in the stands.
A slip by last man Pepe saw Sesko run clean through on goal and look certain to score – but Costa came out quickly to spread himself and save with his outstretched leg.
The match went to a shoot-out and Costa got Portugal off to a flying start when he saved from Josip Ilicic, before Ronaldo slotted past Oblak, this time into the opposite corner.
Jure Balkovec was then denied by another fine save from Costa to his right, and Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes calmly rolled his spot-kick low into the left corner.
Remarkably, Costa saved again to deny Benjamin Verbic, which left Silva to slot in for a 3-0 shoot-out win and spark wild celebrations among his team-mates, led by Ronaldo.
The model got engaged to long-term boyfriend Cristiano Ronaldo earlier this month.Georgina Rodriguez put on a stunning displayShe enjoyed some down time at a resort on the Red SeaThe model showed off in a number of looksShe and the kids enjoyed some down time at a holiday resort on Ummahat Island in the Red Sea.Georgina, 31, enjoyed a bike ride in the evening and stunned in her barely-there outfit...
[(F.C. Copenhagen) Strength]: 1. F.C. Copenhagen played a draw away to FC Basel in the first leg, and they will advance to the main tournament of the UEFA Champions League if they win this game. Thus, the team will go all out to attack at home.2. F.C. Copenhagen's major center-back Gabriel Pereira scored an equalizer for the team in the last league game. He scored in two successive games, with a r...
[(Inter Miami CF) Strength]: 1. Inter Miami CF have advanced to the semi-finals of the Leagues Cup this season after a series of impressive victories. Having won the inaugural edition of the tournament, the team are now poised to make another strong push for the title, fully motivated.2. Inter Miami CF's key striker Luis Suarez has been in excellent form in the Leagues Cup, showcasing strong offen...
[(RC Celta de Vigo) Strength]: 1. RC Celta de Vigo defender Javier Rueda, who returned to the team on loan from Albacete Balompie this season, opened the scoring in the last game. Although the team ultimately failed to secure a win, his contributions in both attack and defense were commendable. He is expected to retain his starting position for this game.2. RC Celta de Vigo have conceded 4 goals i...
[(Club Brugge) Strength]: 1. In the first leg, Club Brugge played away but took the initiative, defeating Rangers F.C. to gain the upper hand for advancement. Now, returning to their home ground, they will naturally go all out for a victory, aiming to secure a dominant advance by defeating their opponents twice.2. Club Brugge's attacking prowess has been demonstrated through multiple goal-scoring ...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Arsenal, Liverpool then & Now Al $enal EPL Week 2 !! This is so accurate Los Blancos have truly secured themselves not one, but TWO future Legends! emmm 002 Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: originaltrollfootball, AZRorganization, zhibo8, Justtoonit)...
[(AEK Larnaca FC) Strength]: 1. AEK Larnaca FC have scored a total of 9 goals in their last 5 matches, averaging nearly 2 goals per game.[(AEK Larnaca FC) Neutral]: 1. AEK Larnaca FC's last 4 games ended with OVER. The playing style is rather aggressive.[(AEK Larnaca FC) Weakness]: 1. AEK Larnaca FC are currently on a two-game losing streak and have been in poor form recently.2. AEK Larnaca FC hav...
[(Fulham F.C.) Strength]: 1. The current squad value of the Premier League team Fulham F.C. is approximately 330 million euros, while EFL Championship team Bristol City have a value of around 60 million euros.[(Fulham F.C.) Neutral]: 1. Fulham F.C. have played two official matches in the new season so far, both ending in 1-1 draws in the league.2. Fulham F.C. have been drawing 0-0 at halftime in b...
Alejandro Garnacho ChelseaChelsea are hoping to negotiate a bargain £25 million ($33.7m) transfer fee with Manchester United for their out-of-favour winger Alejandro Garnacho before the summer transfer window closes. Garnacho is in Ruben Amorim's 'bomb squad' after his fallout with the manager following the Europa League final loss to Tottenham last season.WHAT HAPPENED?Garnacho has been froz...
Alexander Isak Liverpool GFXLiverpool are preparing a bid worth over £130 million ($175m) for Alexander Isak as they attempt to finally sign the Newcastle striker this summer.WHAT HAPPENED?PerTBR Football, Liverpool are preparing a bid worth in excess of £130m for Isak, with the package potentially reaching £140m ($188m) when add-ons are included. Newcastle remain insistent that the...
- 1 Ruben Amorim gives cryptic response when asked about Andre Onana returning to starting XI for Fulham clash after Altay Bayindir blunder handed Arsenal victory
- 2 'Victory Bodes Well for Future' – Gasperini Delighted with Roma’s Opening Day Win
- 3 TIPS - Eintracht Frankfurt VS Werder Bremen
- 4 Transfer rumors, news: Arsenal could turn to Lyon's Fofana
- 5 Antony’s Man United Exit Hopes Rest on Fresh Real Betis Bid Within 'Next 24 Hours'
- 6 TIPS - Cerezo Osaka VS Vissel Kobe
- 7 TIPS - Gamba Osaka VS Yokohama FC
- 8 TIPS - Schalke 04 VS VfL Bochum
- 9 TIPS - Sunderland A.F.C. VS Huddersfield Town A.F.C.
- 10 TIPS - Olympique de Marseille VS Paris FC