Frankfurt
Cristiano Ronaldo’s tears from a missed penalty turned into joy as Portugal secured a 3-0 victory over Slovenia in the UEFA Euros 2024 round of 16, advancing to the quarterfinals. The game ended in a goalless draw after extra time, but Portugal triumphed in the shootout.
Ronaldo was visibly upset after Jan Oblak saved his penalty in the 105th minute. However, he redeemed himself by scoring Portugal’s first penalty in the shootout. Goalkeeper Diogo Costa was the hero, saving shots from Josip Ilicic, Jure Balkovec, and Benjamin Verbic, securing Portugal’s place in the final eight.
Costa’s stellar performance included a crucial one-on-one save against Benjamin Sesko during extra time, preventing a potential upset by Slovenia. Bernardo Silva scored the decisive penalty, following a successful attempt by Bruno Fernandes.
Throughout the match, Ronaldo was determined to score his first goal of the tournament, having failed to do so in the group stage. Despite several attempts, including four free kicks, he could not find the net, with Oblak making a brilliant save in the 89th minute.
Under Roberto Martinez’s leadership, Portugal showcased strong defense and impressive attacking play. Costa’s excellent goalkeeping played a pivotal role, setting up a semifinal clash with Kylian Mbappe’s France, who narrowly defeated Belgium 1-0. Randal Kolo Muani’s 85th-minute goal, deflected off Jan Vertonghen, secured France’s place in the quarterfinals.
