Portugal have qualified for the quarter-finals of the Euro. In Frankfurt, the Lusitanians won a penalty shootout 3-0 against Slovenia with Diogo Costa in a state of grace.
After a goalless match during the 120 minutes of play, Diogo Costa was imperial during the penalty shootout and just before this session on a breakthrough by Benjamin Sesko.
But during the penalties, the Portuguese goalkeeper pulled out all the stops…and the three Slovenian attempts. At the same time, the three Portuguese penalty takers scored, including Cristiano Ronaldo who had seen his penalty in the game stopped by Jan Oblak in the 105th minute.
In tears, feeling responsible for a possible elimination of his country in the round of 16, CR7 can say thank you to his goalkeeper and all his teammates who came to surround him and support him. And as a great champion, the 39-year-old striker, who went into exile in Saudi Arabia, went to shoot and score the first penalty of a session completely controlled by the Lusitanians.
Slovenia close to a feat
Before this outcome, the Portuguese controlled the pace of the match by moving the ball around. But Roberto Martinez’s players had a hard time finding players in the spaces around the penalty area. A few surges from Nuno Mendes and a few bursts of speed from Rafael Leao in the first half did little to trouble goalkeeper Oblak.
Cristiano Ronaldo also came up against the Atletico Madrid goalkeeper. CR7 had several chances from free kicks, but the goal eluded him. And in the 90th minute, Oblak blocked his shot.
But it was ultimately the Portuguese who had the last word and his country will meet France in the quarter-finals. A match that will recall the Euro 2016 final won by Portugal in Paris.
>> Also read: France traps Belgium again
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