Portugal advanced to the quarter-finals to meet France as planned. After beating Slovenia 3-0 on penalties on Monday in Football Euro 2024 Round of 16
Euro 2024 Round of 16, Monday 1 July 2024 Portugal. The former champion 8 years ago will play in the knockout round against Slovenia, one of the dark horses of this tournament.
Five minutes into the game, Portugal greeted first. Bruno Fernandes collected the ball on the right and crossed into the penalty area. It crossed to the far post and Rafael Leao charged in. But the ball went just wide UFABET
20 minutes Portugal had another chance when Bernardo Silva cut inside. With his left foot into the penalty area, crossing over the head of the Slovenian defender and curving past Cristiano Ronaldo, unfortunately going wide.
The Portuguese team were awarded a dangerous free kick in front of the penalty area in the 34th minute. Cristiano Ronaldo ran and hit a right-footed shot over the wall, past Jan Oblak’s hands and over the bar.
In injury time, Portugal almost had a chance to celebrate. When the ball crossed from the left and reached Joao Palhinha, who lowered his head and shot past Jan Oblak’s hands and out of the far post.
In the second half, at the 55th minute.
Portugal still did better. Cristiano Ronaldo took another free kick, this time choosing to hit it with full force. The ball went through the wall but went straight to Jan Oblak.
After an hour, Slovenia missed a golden opportunity. Benjamin Cechko used his speed to burn Pepe into the penalty area but his shot was not good and went wide of the far post.
In the last 15 minutes, Joao Cancelo added to the attacking game, ran up the right and scooped the ball back into the penalty area. Almost reaching Bernardo Silva, whose strength escaped behind as before. The game ended in a 0-0 draw, requiring 30 minutes of extra time.
In the 105th minute.
The Portuguese couldn’t close it down. Diogo Jota broke into the penalty area before being hit and knocked down. The referee immediately awarded a penalty, but Cristiano Ronaldo’s shot was saved by Jan Oblak.
Then in the 115th minute, Slovenia missed a chance to return the ball. Benjamin Cechko stole the ball from Pepe and chased it towards the goal. But his shot was not good and incredibly saved by Diogo Costa.
End of extra time, Portugal 0 Slovenia 0, must go to penalty shootout to find the winner and it was Portugal who did better. Diogo Costa showed 3 saves to lead the team to win 3-0, getting a ticket to the last 8 teams to meet France on Friday night, July 5.