Drama unfolded in Frankfurt on July 1st as Portugal edged past Slovenia on penalties to secure a place in the Euro 2024 quarterfinals. The tightly contested match, devoid of goals in regular and extra time, turned into a nerve-wracking penalty shootout where young goalkeeper Diogo Costa emerged as the hero.
Portugal, boasting a perfect record in the group stage with wins over Czech Republic and Turkey, entered the game as favorites. However, Slovenia, a team known for its resilience, frustrated the Portuguese attack with a resolute defensive display. The Portuguese midfield, marshaled by the experienced duo of William Carvalho and João Moutinho, struggled to break down the Slovenian defensive lines.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal’s talisman and the highest international goalscorer in history, had a chance to etch his name further into Euro folklore in the first half of extra time. Awarded a penalty after a clumsy challenge on Bernardo Silva in the box, the 39-year-old stepped up with his usual confidence. However, Jan Oblak, Slovenia’s world-class goalkeeper, guessed the right way and produced a stunning save to deny Ronaldo. The miss visibly affected Ronaldo, who slumped to the ground in disappointment.
Despite the setback, Portugal continued to press for the winning goal. Bruno Fernandes, a constant threat with his creativity and long-range efforts, almost broke the deadlock with a curling free-kick that rattled the crossbar. Substitute Rafael Leão also injected some pace and trickery into the Portuguese attack in the latter stages, but the Slovenian backline held firm.
As the clock ticked down to zero, the tension in the Frankfurt Arena was palpable. Both teams knew the fate of the game would be decided from the penalty spot. Portugal manager Fernando Santos opted for the experience of Rui Patrício in goal initially, but a tactical switch before the shootout saw the young Diogo Costa replace the veteran. This decision proved to be a masterstroke.
The 22-year-old Costa, relatively untested at the international level, displayed nerves of steel in the shootout. He calmly saved the first Slovenian penalty from Josip Iličić, diving low to his left to palm the ball away. The save seemed to energize his teammates, with Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva converting their penalties with precision.
The pressure mounted on Slovenia as they needed to score all their remaining penalties to stay in the game. Costa rose to the occasion again, denying both Benjamin Šeško and Andraž Šporar with spectacular saves. Portugal’s João Félix calmly slotted home the winning penalty, sending his teammates and the Portuguese fans into a frenzy of celebration.
The final score remained 0-0, but the penalty shootout drama provided a fitting climax to a tense encounter. Portugal’s victory was a testament to their fighting spirit and resilience. They showed composure even after Ronaldo’s missed penalty and relied on their young goalkeeper to step up when it mattered most.
Slovenia Deserves Credit for Brave Performance
While Portugal will be understandably lauded for reaching the quarterfinals, Slovenia deserves immense credit for their performance. Coach Matjaž Kek’s tactics were spot on, with their backline, marshaled by the experienced trio of Miha Mevlja, Andraž Struna, and Stefan Savić, frustrating the vaunted Portuguese attack. Jan Oblak was a rock in goal, denying Ronaldo and making several other crucial saves throughout the match.
Slovenia’s attacking threat, though limited, always posed a danger. Josip Iličić, their creative spark, came close with a couple of free-kicks, while Benjamin Šeško’s pace and power troubled the Portuguese defense on several occasions. They will be disappointed to exit the tournament, but their performance against a European powerhouse like Portugal will serve as a significant confidence boost for the future.
Looking Ahead: Portugal’s Quarterfinal Clash with France
Portugal now sets their sights on a mouthwatering quarterfinal clash against France on July 5th. The encounter promises to be a tactical battle between two of the tournament favorites. Fernando Santos will need to find a way to unlock a resolute French defense, while Didier Deschamps, the French manager, will be wary of Portugal’s attacking prowess, even without Ronaldo finding the net in this match.
The return of Diogo Jota, who missed the Slovenia game due to a slight ankle injury, could bolster Portugal’s attacking options. His partnership with Ronaldo and Bernardo Silva has been vital in the past, and his presence could pose a significant threat to the French defense.
The battle between the two sets of midfielders will also be crucial. Portugal’s experience with Carvalho and Moutinho will be challenged by the youthful exuberance of France’s Aurélien Tchouaméni and Eduardo Camavinga. The creativity of Bruno Fernandes for Portugal will need to be matched by the likes of Antoine Griezmann and Paul Pogba for France.
Ronaldo’s Redemption Song: A Legacy on the Line?
While Portugal celebrates their dramatic victory, questions linger around Cristiano Ronaldo’s performance. The missed penalty, his first of the tournament, was a significant moment in the match. The emotions he displayed on the field spoke volumes about the pressure he carries as the team’s talisman and the weight of expectation on his shoulders.
This Euros could be Ronaldo’s last hurrah on the international stage. At 39, his physical decline is undeniable. However, his leadership and experience remain invaluable to the team. The question remains: can he bounce back from this setback and deliver a performance worthy of his legendary status in the upcoming matches?
There have been calls for a more prominent role for younger players like João Félix and Rafael Leão. Both possess immense talent and have the potential to be the future of Portuguese football. While their inclusion in the starting lineup might be a gamble at this crucial stage of the tournament, their pace and creativity could be crucial in unlocking defenses.
