New Delhi: Portugal are through to the quarter finals after a round of 16 tie against a brave Slovenian side to produce probably the match of the season as it went all the way to penalties with a dramatic finish to the game. It was an entertaining game where both the teams were creating chances but the limp of finishing was clearly evident throughout the game.
Portugal have ceertainly been amongst the highest scoring team in this season’s group stages with five goals, but the problem has been with their conversion rate as they are not able to convert most of the chances that they have managed to create. That was the problem tonight as well as the Portuguese just couldn’t make the most out of the chances they created in this game.
Portugal had their chances throughout the game but Portugal and Slovenia were tied at zero goals each going into halftime in Frankfurt. Both teams have had few opportunities, and Martinez’s side was having difficulty producing the last ball that was required. Although Ronaldo was frequently skulking in the box, his teammates couldn’t identify him as much as they would have liked.
Palhinha had the finest opportunity of the match when he got to the edge of the box and attempted a low shot, but it struck the post. Ronaldo may have thought he should have performed better when he had a header early in the half, since Oblak had an easy save to make. Receiving the ball, Jota advanced it in the direction of the Slovenian penalty area. Jota rolled the ball into the path of Ronaldo only for him to fire a left-footed shot straight at Oblak which was the perfect chance for the Portuguese to win it late.
Portugal and Slovenia remained goalless at the end of 90 minutes, so they headed to extra-time, despite the constant efforts from both the sides. During extra time, a shocking turn of event took place when Ronaldo missed a penalty right before the end of the first half of extra time after Oblak made a tremendous save to keep it deadlocked. However, even Slovenia had a wonderful chane to break the deadlock and cause a shocking upset.
It was Diogo Costa who denied Benjamin Sesko after he was one v one against the Portuguese keeper in the 115th minute of the game. That save from Costa led the match to the first penalty shootout of this campaign which was comfortably won by Portugal, thanks to the wonderful Diogo Costa who made a hattrick of saves to keep Cristiano Ronaldo’s and the Portuguese dreams of going all the way.
The turning point
FRANKFURT AM MAIN, GERMANY – JULY 01: Diogo Costa of Portugal saves the third penalty from Benjamin Verbic of Slovenia (not pictured) in the penalty shoot out during the UEFA EURO 2024 round of 16 match between Portugal and Slovenia at Frankfurt Arena on July 01, 2024 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
Diogo Costa proved to be the pivotal point for the Portuguese team where he single handedly won them the match after making some fantastic saves. The 24-year-old shot stopper saved his side in the 115th minute of the game when he found himself 1v1 against Benjamin Sesko, after Pepe slipped and conceded the possession at a dangerous position to Sesko. The striker tried to put the ball beyond Costa to give Slovenia a crucial lead, but Costa made himself big to make a brilliant save to deny Sesko.
Moving on to the penalty shoot out, Costa made a hattrick of saves to keep the Slovenians out. First it was a brilliant save when he went the right way against Ilicic before Ronaldo converted his penalty to give Portugal the advantage on penaties. He went on to make two more saves while the Portuguese score theirs to win the game. The Porto goalkeeper completely changed the complexion of the game by single handedly winning it for the Portuguese.
Portugal and Slovenia played the game of the season as Portugal went on to win on penalties to progressthrough to the quarter finals, while Slovenians were left heart broken. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
