Cristiano Ronaldo’s dramatic penalty save and Portugal’s thrilling shootout win over Slovenia secured their place in the 2024 European Championship quarterfinals. Read the full match recap!
Ronaldo’s decisive performance led Portugal to a dramatic victory in an epic penalty shootout. Discover the thrilling details of this unforgettable match.
As supporters cheered his name on the terraces, Portugal’s superstar captain was comforted by his teammates after Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak saved his penalty.
Cristiano Ronaldo bounced back
However, he bounced back to convert his nation’s first penalty in the shootout, in which Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva scored the winning kick after goalkeeper Diogo Costa saved all three of his attempts.
Throughout the entire evening, Ronaldo was actively involved in the action as he attempted to score his first goal at Euro 2024.
After watching numerous crosses sail over his head during 120 minutes of thrilling action, he squandered a fantastic opportunity in the last minute of normal time, hammering his shot straight at Oblak, before his penalty was tipped onto the post.
Slovenia shootout nightmare
Portugal’s perseverance eventually paid off as Slovenia lost the shootout and Costa’s heroics guaranteed Ronaldo’s European dream would live on.
Joao Palhinha’s strike against the post in the first half denied Portugal, who had controlled for extended stretches of time.
Benjamin Sesko had a one-on-one opportunity with Portugal goalkeeper Costa in the waning minutes of extra time, but the resilient and tenacious Slovenians missed it.
Portugal in quarterfinals with France
Portugal will now face France in the quarterfinals on Friday in Hamburg, while Slovenia will exit the competition in the most brutal way possible.
Ronaldo freeze Sesko
Ronaldo, as usual, dominated the show in an unforgettable game, but he still hasn’t scored in Germany.
He was animated and enthusiastic, especially in the first half, and he wasn’t scared to express his feelings, so it wasn’t for want of trying.
It became commonplace for him to throw his arms up in the air, punch the air in fury, and yell in disbelief at opportunities lost; nonetheless, he failed to seize his moment of glory.
The story had a chance to go the other way, but Slovenian hero Sesko, like Ronaldo, blew his huge chance with four minutes remaining.
It was a game of “what ifs,” but in the end, Portugal, who had the better opportunities and had the upper hand for extended periods of play, deserved to win. Costa deserves special recognition for his outstanding performance on his own in the shootout.
With Ronaldo among those running behind, Silva celebrated his final spot-kick goal by racing over to his goalie, undoubtedly releasing a great deal of relief and excitement.
Slovenian fans celebrate
Slovenian fans celebrate despite the loss After seeing their nation get to the semifinals of a major event for the first time, they have had an unforgettable few days.
Two hours before kickoff, they were in the stands, dancing, chanting, and carrying flags.
They shot off fireworks in the Frankfurt Arena stands when Ronaldo’s penalty was tipped on to the post by Oblak, mocking the fact that he had missed earlier opportunities.
As the game progressed, Slovenia’s players gained confidence and increased their threat level when going on the counterattack.
Before his one-on-one with Costa, Sesko had a few opportunities, but Oblak was constantly busy on the other end, making vital last-minute stops to deny Ronaldo and Palhinha.
Slovenia ultimately went out of the competition without dropping a game in ninety or one hundred minutes; before their shootout loss, they drew every game in their group, including a deserved point against England.
They will depart with pride in their accomplishments, as their fans continued to celebrate them long after the race was over
