Portugal defeated Slovenia on penalties with a score of 3-0 (0-0 draw in 120 minutes) to enter the quarter-finals of EURO 2024. Ronaldo and his teammates’ next opponent will be France.
Compared to their opponent Slovenia, the Portuguese team is considered stronger in every aspect. Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates have an overwhelming squad value, winning 6 points in the group stage, twice as many as Slovenia, who have drawn all 3 matches. While Slovenia is the team with the least possession of the ball among the 16 representatives in the knockout round, Portugal has a very good attack, with 5 goals scored.
All of this led to a common denominator for the match that took place at 2am on July 2: Portugal attacked, while Slovenia fought back. Against the “wall” of white shirts from Eastern Europe, Portugal created many scoring opportunities.
Slovenia (white shirt) defends aggressively
AFP
In the 4th minute, Ruben Dias threatened the Slovenian goal with a left-footed shot that missed the post. In the 15th minute, Ronaldo jumped high to meet Bernardo Silva’s cross, but was only inches away from the ball to head it.
Ronaldo was the focus of the first 45 minutes. The 39-year-old striker was constantly being pressed by his teammates, especially in aerial battles, but despite falling twice in the penalty area after collisions with Slovenian defenders, Ronaldo could not bring Portugal a penalty.
In the 33rd minute, Al-Nassr’s striker kicked a free kick that went just over the Slovenian crossbar. Before the first half ended, Rafael Leao dribbled past a Slovenian defender and passed the ball back to Joao Palhinha for a long-range shot, but the ball went wide.
Ronaldo is the focal point of Portugal’s attacks
AFP
The half-time break was a “golden” time for coach Roberto Martinez to adjust Portugal’s playing style. The red team’s two wings, Leao and Silva, continuously put a lot of pressure on the team, but the Slovenian defense still played very solidly.
The Eastern European representative defended the ball well, especially the central defenders Jaka Bijol and Vanja Drkusic played focused, locking Ronaldo in high-jump situations. Ronaldo only had opportunities in free kick situations, but in both attempts at this spot, the superstar wearing the number 7 shirt was unable to score.
Portugal faces difficulties against Slovenia’s defensive “wall”
AFP
Not only defending scientifically, Slovenia also had some counterattacks worth watching. In the 62nd minute, Benjamin Sesko dribbled past Pepe to face goalkeeper Diogo Costa, but in a reaching position, this striker shot the ball wide of the post.
In addition, Sesko also surprised Portuguese fans many times with his high jumps to catch high balls very accurately.
Coach Martinez sent Diogo Jota and Francisco Conceicao onto the field to increase the attack in the second half. Jota left his mark in the 89th minute when he passed the ball to Ronaldo to face goalkeeper Jan Oblak, but then, the 39-year-old striker’s left-footed shot was too weak, unable to beat the Slovenian goalkeeper.
The 0-0 score after 90 minutes dragged the two teams into extra time. In the 102nd minute, Jota brought a penalty for Portugal after breaking straight into the penalty area, forcing Drkusic to foul. However, before the most favorable opportunity of the match, Ronaldo failed to get a shot straight at Oblak. The number 7’s shot was intercepted and neatly blocked by Oblak.
Oblak saves Ronaldo’s penalty
AFP
Oblak’s solidity became the fulcrum for Slovenia to stand firm against the pressure of Portugal. In the 108th minute, the goalkeeper playing for Atletico Madrid again blocked Palhinha’s dangerous header.
While the front line wasted opportunities, the Portuguese defense made a serious mistake in the 116th minute. Veteran center-back Pepe lost the ball dangerously, creating an opportunity for Sesko to face goalkeeper Diogo Costa, but fortunately for Portugal, Costa won with an excellent tackle.
Entering the penalty shootout, goalkeeper Diogo Costa became the hero for Portugal when he blocked 3 shots from his opponent, while Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva all successfully executed. Defeating Slovenia 3-0 on penalties, Portugal entered the quarter-finals of EURO 2024 to face France.
