Portugal to face France in quarter-finals

A few hours after the French team’s sluggish qualification against Belgium (1-0), it was now necessary to know who, Portugal or Slovenia, would face Les Bleus in the quarter-finals this Friday at 9 p.m. The author of an honest group stage despite a worrying defeat against Georgia despite the reserve team lined up by Roberto Martinez, the Seleção das Quinas had to be wary against a Slovenian team that had been impressively solid since the start of the tournament. To avoid the trap, the Portuguese coach decided to line up his first eleven. Inevitably, still silent since the start of the tournament, Cristiano Ronaldo was still lined up at the forefront of the attack. Taking the lead immediately in the match, the Portuguese set their pace and gradually got closer to Jan Oblak’s goals. On a dangerous cross from Bernardo Silva, CR7 and Bruno Fernandes were not far from taking the former Monaco player’s offering (13th). With possession largely to their advantage (76%), Nuno Mendes’ teammates continued to accelerate but no clear-cut chances were to their credit for long minutes against a very tight Slovenian defense. One of their best chances came from a powerful free-kick from Cristiano Ronaldo. The ball from the five-time Ballon d’Or winner flirted with the crossbar (33rd). Still as threatening on the edge of the Slovenian area, Portugal continued to believe in opening the score before the break, but the post prevented Palhinha from scoring his first goal in this Euro (45+1st). At the break, Portugal needed to show more to take a deserved lead in this match. Slovenia did not do enough and owed this goalless score to an appreciable defensive solidity.

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After the break, the balance of power was not reversed. Still determined to open the scoring, the Portuguese team pushed but Bernardo Silva did not get his attempt on target (46th). Well contained by Pepe until then, Benjamin Sesko showed himself through a few counterattacks before finally being caught by the patrol. On the other side, Portugal did not lose the north and sought to open the scoring again and again. Despite being determined to unlock his counter in this tournament, Cristiano Ronaldo again came up against an impeccable Jan Oblak on his line (53rd). Sesko, definitely the only Slovenian threat in this match, responded with an impressive solo rush. Initially outpacing Pepe, the RB Leipzig striker crossed his shot too much following the decisive return of the 41-year-old defender. Despite a very active João Cancelo who caused problems for the opposing defense, Portugal did not find the technical resources to go for this advantage in the score. Served by a Diogo Jota, also in recovery, Cristiano Ronaldo had another very good opportunity at the end of the match (88th) but his shot was too axial with a supporting foot too far away at the time of the shot. Unable to force the Slovenian lock, Portugal had to go to extra time to make the difference. Still as determined and determined to finally take the advantage, Roberto Martinez’s gang once again came up against tenacious Slovenians. Worse still, fate was not on their side. Benefiting from a penalty just before half-time of extra time on a run by Diogo Jota, Cristiano Ronaldo then had the opportunity to put an end to the Portuguese ordeal. Finally, despite a far from missed and powerful attempt, the Real Madrid legend saw Jan Oblak push away his attempt. Breaking down in tears, the Al-Nassr striker struggled to get back into it mentally and despite the many attempts of his teammates, Portugal were taken to penalties by their tenacious opponents of the evening. And that’s when the Diogo Costa show began. Stopping the three Slovenian attempts, he greatly contributed to his country’s qualification. CR7, dejected, also converted his attempt by jumping first and apologizing to the Portuguese people present in the stands. With this sluggish qualification, Portugal will face the French team this Friday at 6 p.m. in the quarter-finals. For its part, Slovenia, which did not disgrace itself, goes out with a bang.