July 02, (THEWILL) – Portugal earned their place in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals following a tense penalty shootout victory over Slovenia. The match ended 0-0 after extra time, with goalkeeper Diogo Costa emerging as the hero by saving three consecutive Slovenian penalties.
The game was a cagey affair, with both sides struggling to create clear-cut chances. Cristiano Ronaldo had several opportunities to break the deadlock, including a missed penalty in extra time, but was repeatedly thwarted by Slovenia’s goalkeeper Jan Oblak. Slovenia’s Benjamin Sesko also came close to scoring, but Costa made a crucial save to keep Portugal in the contest.
The penalty shootout proved decisive, with Costa’s heroics ensuring Portugal’s progression. The goalkeeper saved all three of Slovenia’s attempts, while Portugal converted their spot-kicks with precision. Bernardo Silva scored the winning penalty, sending Portugal through to face France in the next round.
Despite the disappointment of elimination, Slovenia can take pride in reaching the knockout stages of a major tournament for the first time in their history. Their resolute defence and Oblak’s outstanding performance pushed Portugal to the limit, demonstrating their potential on the international stage.
Portugal will now turn their attention to a quarter-final clash with France. The match promises to be a thrilling encounter between two of Europe’s footballing powerhouses, as Portugal aims to improve on their performance from three years ago when they were eliminated by Belgium at this stage of the competition.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
