FOOTBALL (Euro 2024): Portugal takes out Slovenia thanks to a great Diogo Costa

Portugal suffered to defeat Slovenia at the end of the night, with a penalty shootout. Ronaldo went from tears to happiness.

Our analysis and the best photos of the meeting.

In a match (which was a continuation of their group matches), where they had possession most of the time, the Portuguese once again had a lot of trouble against an opponent who played a low block. The fault lies in the solidity of this Slovenian block, determined to let its opponent come to them in the hope of taking them on the counter. The fault also lies in a sometimes stereotypical and predictable game and in the clumsiness in the finishing on the Lusitanian side.
Roberto Martinez’s players dominated the match, often depriving the Slovenians of the ball, but failed to convert their chances.

First of all, in the 13th minute, Bernardo Silva sent a superb cross that neither Cristiano Ronaldo nor Bruno Fernandes managed to deflect. Bruno Fernandes (25th) and Cristiano Ronaldo (31st and 34th) saw their attempts cancelled out by the excellent goalkeeper Oblak, who was saved by his post in stoppage time in the first half on a great strike from Palhinha.
The second half started like the first, the Reds had the ball and pushed but came up against the Slovenian defense or Oblak (55th on a free kick from CR7).
After the hour mark, the Slovenian players began to threaten on the counterattack. In the 62nd minute, Sesko made a run for it but did not hit the target with his shot, then in the 68th minute, Sporar failed to beat Diogo Costa.
At the very end of regulation time Cristiano has the match ball (90th) well launched by Bernardo Silva he presents himself in front of Oblak who wins the duel and sends the match into extra time.
The scenario then becomes Hitchcockian! Indeed, the Portuguese obtain a penalty in the 105th minute for a foul on Diogo Jota, but the imperial Oblak relaxes well on CR7’s strike. The captain of the “seleçào” then seems very mentally affected by his failure, he is in tears at half-time of extra time!
We then see the disaster scenario happening on the Portuguese side when in the 115th minute Pepe childishly loses the ball, sees Sesko go alone on goal and loses in front of Diogo Costa who saves his team!
The goalkeeper even became the hero of the match a few minutes later by repelling the three Slovenian penalty kicks (while CR7, Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva scored)! Portugal qualified in pain and joined France in the quarter-finals.

Rui FERNANDES
(Photos Agence REUTERS)

Portugal eliminates Slovenia on penalties (3-0)

Portugal: Diogo Costa, Joao Cancelo (Semedo 117th) Ruben Dias, Pepe (Ruben Neves 118th) Nuno Mendes, Vitinha (Diogo Jota 65th) Palhinha, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Rafael Leao (Conceição 76th), Cristiano Ronaldo.
Slovenia: Oblak, Karnicnik, Drkusic, Bijol, Balkovec, Stojanovic (Verbic 87ème) Gnezda, Elsnik (Ilicic 106ème) Mlakar (Stankovic 74ème) Sporar (Celar 74ème) Sesko. Entry: Kek.