PORTUGAL are THROUGH to the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 after beating Slovenia on penalties.
The game was a frantic one and saw Cristiano Ronaldo miss a penalty in extra-time.
Ronaldo stepped up to score in the shootout, however, Portugal keeper Diogo Costa was the hero after he saved three spot kicks to put his side through.
Roberto Martinez’s side will now face France in the quarter-final on Friday, July 5.
- Match result: Portugal 0-0 Slovenia (3-0 pens)
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Martinez celebrates nervy win
There must have been times in Frankfurt where Roberto Martinez wondered how safe his role as manager was.
However, his keeper came through for him and it was all smiles as they progressed to the Euro 2024 quarter-finals.
Portugal can take confidence from this victory and use that to go as far as they can in this tournament.
Credit: Getty Dad’s Army continue to chase silverware
For Pepe and Cristiano Ronaldo, there is no doubt that this will be their last appearance at a Euros tournament,
It almost went pear-shaped for both of them, Ronaldo seeing his penalty saved before a Pepe slip allowed Sesko clean through on goal.
Fortunately for the pair, it was not to be and they will celebrate long into the night as they now have a Euro 2024 quarter-final to look forward to.
Credit: Reuters Credit: Getty Slovenian hearts broken in Frankfurt
They have impressed everyone at Euro 2024 and done their country proud.
Playing in their first-ever knockout match at a major tournament, Slovenia did not look out of place against Portugal.
They had a chance to win the game in the final moments of extra-time but Diogo Costa saved Benjamin Sesko’s effort.
Credit: Reuters Credit: Reuters
Portugal keep dreams alive in Germany
It was an emotional night in Frankfurt as it seemed that Roberto Martinez’s side were heading towards an upset.
They kept their cool and scored every one of their penalties in the high-pressure shootout.
You could see as Bernardo Silva’s effort nestled in the back of the net just how much it meant to these players.
Credit: AP Credit: Getty Ronaldo makes up for miss
You had to wonder if he was in the right frame of mind to step up and take another penalty after missing one in extra-time.
True class shone through as he showed his mental strength and stepped up to take Portugal’s first penalty.
After Slovenia’s spot-kick was saved, the evergreen Ronaldo stepped up and slotted home in style.
Credit: AP Penalty misses Costa lot for Slovenia
Diogo Costa is the hero of Portugal.
He saved all three of Slovenia’s spot-kicks.
They are through to the quarter-finals where they will now meet France.
Absolute drama in Frankfurt.
Credit: Getty Credit: PA Credit: PA Portugal win 3-0 on penalties
Goal – Bernardo Silva (Portugal) 0-3
Missed penalty – Benjamin Verbic (Slovenia) 0-2
Goal – Bruno Fernandes (Portugal) 0-2
Penalty missed – Jure Balkovec (Slovenia) 0-1
Goal – Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) 0-1
Penalty missed – Josep Ilicic (Slovenia) 0-0
Penalty shootout
FT: Portugal 0-0 Slovenia
Jan Oblak has the chance to become a national hero.
They may even name an airport after him if he can continue his penalty heroics this evening.
Huge pressure on ten players now to do their stuff from 12 yards out.
FT: Portugal 0-0 Slovenia
Portugal had a corner in the final moments but it was superbly defended from Slovenia.
The referee brings the match to a close, we are heading to penalties.
If anyone ordered drama, here it comes.
ET: Portugal 0-0 Slovenia
118. Semedo and Neves replace Pepe and Cancelo.
Last throw of the dice for Roberto Martinez.
We are into the dying embers of the game now.
Credit: Reuters ET: Portugal 0-0 Slovenia
116. What a chance for Slovenia to win this game.
Pepe miscontrolled the ball and Sesko was clean through on goal with only the keeper to beat.
Costa saved his centre-back, making the save with his leg to deny the Slovenian forward.
ET: Portugal 0-0 Slovenia
114. The effort goes straight into the wall and is cleared.
Bit of a letdown after all the build up for that set piece.
Slovenia are looking the more comfortable of the two sides right now.
ET: Portugal 0-0 Slovenia
112. Jota is penalised for a foul in a dangerous area.
It is a chance for Slovenia to work the Portuguese keeper.
The Slovenian manager has been shown a straight red card and is now in the stands.
ET: Portugal 0-0 Slovenia
110. Palhinha flicks on the free kick towards goal and Oblak tips it over the crossbar.
As the resulting corner comes in, Ronaldo is penalised for a foul on the keeper as he punches clear.
Slovenia will be in no rush to take this now.
ET: Portugal 0-0 Slovenia
108. Ilic has come on for Elsnik at the break.
Balkovec is shown a yellow card for a cinical shove on Cancelo.
It was almost like a rugby tackle that.
Credit: PA ET: Portugal 0-0 Slovenia
106. For a goalless draw, this has been a good game.
Everyone thought we were finally going to see a goal but Oblak had something to say about that.
If this goes all the way to penalties, you wonder if Ronaldo is in the right headspace to take one now.
Kick-off: Portugal 0-0 Slovenia
We are back underway at the Frankfurt Arena.
Slovenia will just not give up in this game.
Matjaz Kek’s side get us restarted.
HT: Portugal 0-0 Slovenia
Jan Oblak keeps Slovenia in Euro 2024.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s drought in major tournaments cotinues.
The former Real Madrid man was almost in tears after the Slovenia keeper saved his effort.
He is now crying on the side of the pitch.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
