Portugal need a penalty draw to beat Slovenia in the round of 16 of Euro 2024.
After 120 minutes of play, the two sides could not be separated, and the game went to a penalty shoot-out, with Diogo Costa saving three penalties to send the Selecao team to the quarter-finals against France. The Slovenian team defended well and unfortunately did not make progress, but after a heroic performance, they were able to hold their heads high.
How the game unfolded
Portugal started to apply pressure early on, with Bernardo Silva's provocative cross over Cristiano Ronaldo's head, but Bruno Fernandes did get at the back post but his touch deflected the ball wide. Slovenia's best chance of the first half came from 30 yards out, with Benjamin Sesko flying, but Costa matched his presumed effort to turn.
With one last chance left before the break, Rafael Leo burst in from the left-hand flank, withstood a challenge from Zane Karnik before cutting the ball back to Joao Parinja, whose shot went wide of the post.
Portugal again gained most of the possession in the second half, but were almost reversed on the counter-attack when Sesco raced past Pepe, but the experienced defender's shot from the edge of the box fell slightly behind him, keeping him out.
With 89 minutes remaining, Ronaldo thinks he has his moments. Diogo Chota tackled Carninick to send Portugal's No.7 goalkeeper across the finish line, but Jan Oblak comfortably denied him at the near post and the game went into extra-time.
With 12 minutes of extra time on, Portugal were awarded a penalty and Jota raced towards De Cucic at breakneck speed and fouled him. Ronaldo got to his feet, but his shot was pushed off the post by Oblak.
Soon after, the Slovenian goalkeeper was called up again and headed Joao Palhinha's header wide as Portugal continued to search for a winner. The best chance of winning a match in the Open came when Pepe was in a ball error and Sesco was sprinting. With the world waiting with bated breath, his shot was blocked by Costa's toe and the game went to penalties.
In that penalty shoot-out, Costa was once again Portugal's savior, saving all three of Slovenia's penalties as the Selecao team won on penalties.
penalty kick
| Portugal - 3 | Slovenia - 0 |
| Cristiano Ronaldo (goal) | Josep Ilicic (not entered) |
| Bruno Fernandes (goal) | Yuray Balkovec (not entered) |
| Bernardo Silva (goal) | Benjamin Verbic (not entered) |