Portugal 0-0 Slovenia [AET; 3-0 on pens]: Ronaldo’s redemption and Costa’s shootout saves send Portugal to the quarterfinals

Slovenia’s historic European Championship campaign has come to an end with a defeat to the EURO2016 champions, Portugal, in the round-of-16; but they didn’t go down without a fight.

After two hours of goalless football and an incredible save from Jan Oblak to deny Cristiano Ronaldo from the spot, the game entered a penalty shootout. Diogo Costa will be the man spoken about with three penalty saves booking his country’s place in the quarterfinal where they will meet with France, but it was a performance to be proud of for Slovenia, nevertheless.

(Photo by Charles McQuillan – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

As it happened

There was no question coming into the game as to which was the stronger of the two squads, but there was an essence of confidence around the Slovenia side as they arrived unbeaten in nine matches – their last loss coming in November to Denmark in a qualifying game.

Portugal obtained the majority of possession inside the opening ten minutes with chances falling in their favour, but none converted as of yet with Slovenia appearing strong in their formation.

However, 13 minutes in, an opportunity presented itself to Cristiano Ronaldo who mistimed his jump, unable to meet Bernardo Silva’s swinging cross to the far post to break the deadlock. Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes tried to rescue the chance, but the ball was out for a goal kick.

Roberto Martinez’s side continued to occupy the ball and work it into the final third with Andraz Sporar trying to release Benjamin Sesko at 21 minutes and Fernandes breaking down the left at 25 minutes, but they were still unable to create any seriously threatening chances and Slovenia looked almost calm in the Frankfurt arena.

Causing some work for Jan. Oblak, Ronaldo jumped in the box to meet a cross from the right, but his weak header was directed straight at the Slovenian goalkeeper. Ronaldo couldn’t beat the keeper again just moments later with a free kick in a dangerous position at 34 minutes curled towards the top-right corner but sent just inches over. At 36 minutes, another ball was whipped into the box with the Portuguese captain waiting to pounce, but the 39-year-old mistimed his jump once again with the ball out for another goal kick.

Just moments after a wasted free kick from the multiple Ballon d’Or winner, Slovenia broke up the other end with Jan Mlakar almost setting up Sporar with a cut-back but Nuno Mendes interfered and conceded a corner – nothing came of the resulting set piece, but the Slovenian pressure didn’t relent as Sporar headed the ball down to Sesko at 44 minutes with the latter’s shot unfortunately directed straight at Diogo Costa in net for Portugal.

The final minute of action from the first half saw Joao Palhinha’s effort ping off the outside of the left-hand post with the strong defending from Matjaz Kek’s side seeing them head down the tunnel with the score level.

No changes were made for either side as the game restarted for the second half, and it began with a serious of Bernardo Silva crosses into the box unable to be met by the Portuguese captain.

With the ball loose on the edge of the area at 54 minutes, Joao Cancelo looked to try and make something happened but was given the opportunity to before Adam Cerin clipped him and conceded a free-kick that Ronaldo stood over. Oblak pushed the chance was seemingly headed straight towards goal, away with the game still goalless despite Portugal’s relentless pressure in the final third.

(Photo by Ryan Pierse – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

They continued to increase the intensity as Joao Cancelo worked tirelessly down the right to create problems for the somewhat stoic defence of Slovenia who handled the pressure from the EURO16 champions tremendously. When given the chance at the other end, they took it with both hands – a throw in from Jure Balkovec on the hour mark dropped to Cerin who fired his effort wide from the edge of the box.

What had been an exciting start to the round-of-16 tie dropped dramatically in pace and intensity as it entered the final 20 minutes with Portugal lacking creativity and not looking as threatening going forwards. Slovenia remained solid at the back and prevented the deadlock from being broken bringing nerves to both sets of fans in Germany.

Another Ronaldo free kick at 72-minutes was sent over the bar before Joao Cancelo tried to ignite the fire again with a curling cross in from the right that was unable to be headed home by Bernardo Silva.

Time was running out and no clear-cut chances were being created with the game destined for extra time. In the 89th minute, Portugal fans held their breaths for a moment as Jota played in Ronaldo down the inside-left channel only for the 39-year-old’s shot to be blocked by Oblak. Four minutes added time still couldn’t create a goal. And neither could the first 13 minutes of extra time, despite Portugal’s dominance of the ball.

That was until Diogo Jota was fouled in the box with the referee pointing to the spot and a huge opportunity landing in the palm of the Portuguese captain’s hands. Ronaldo stood over the penalty spot and shot towards the bottom-right corner, but Oblak produced a stunning save as he powerfully palmed the ball round the post with Ronaldo visibly upset and in need of support from his teammates. The aftermath of the penalty saw Kek shown a straight red on the Slovenia bench.

The second half of extra time followed much of the same and before long the game was headed to a penalty shootout. Three shootout saves made Diogo Costa the hero on the night. It was redemption for Ronaldo as he converted Portugal’s first penalty, followed by Bruno Fernandes scoring from the spot and wrapped up by Bernardo Silva sealing the victory, but Diogo Costa will be the name in the headlines tomorrow as Portugal prepare to face France in the quarterfinals of EURO2024.