CR7 redemption! Portugal 0-0 Slovenia (3-0 on pens): Hat-trick saves from Costa

Game is over and the final score is Portugal 0-0 Slovenia (3-0 on pens). Here is the match report.

Match Report

Cristiano Ronaldo saw an extra-time penalty saved by Jan Oblak, but recovered to convert in the shoot-out as Portugal survived a huge scare to beat Slovenia on spot-kicks following a goalless draw in the last 16 at Euro 2024.

Ronaldo had a glorious opportunity to send Portugal through in the first half of extra time, but broke down in tears when his tame kick was repelled by the Atletico Madrid goalkeeper.

He had earlier missed chance after chance in regulation time as Slovenia – chiefly thanks to the efforts of Oblak – kept Roberto Martinez's team at bay to force spot-kicks.

However, he made no mistake with his second attempt from the spot, and Diogo Costa kept out all three Slovenia kicks from Josip Ilicic, Jure Balkovec and Benjamin Verbic.

The Selecao will now take on France for a spot in the semi-finals on Friday, while Slovenia's tournament is over despite a gallant effort in Frankfurt. 

Both Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes were unable to get a touch on Bernardo Silva's inswinging cross as Portugal put Slovenia under pressure early on, the former also heading straight at Oblak when presented with another good chance 31 minutes in.

Oblak was then relieved to see Ronaldo send a dipping free-kick effort narrowly over the crossbar, before Joao Palhinha saw a low drive kiss the outside of the post on the stroke of half-time.

Ronaldo saw another free-kick beaten away by Oblak after the restart, before Benjamin Sesko squandered a huge chance on the break, dragging his shot wide after showing blistering pace to beat Pepe – now the oldest player to play in a World Cup or European Championship knockout match at 41 years and 126 days.

Ronaldo had one final chance to avoid extra time in the 89th minute, but Oblak stood firm to repel his left-footed strike at the near post, and keep Slovenia in the tie.

It was Oblak versus Ronaldo once again as the first half of extra time drew to a close, Daniele Orsato awarding a penalty when Jota was felled by Vanja Drkusic.

Ronaldo went for the bottom-right corner, but Oblak sprung across to make a brilliant stop and leave the five-time Ballon d'Or winner in tears at the interval.

It was then Costa's turn to produce the heroics at the other end, making a huge one-on-one save to deny Sesko following a mistake from Pepe to take the tie to penalties. 

Costa was unbeatable in the shoot-out, too, keeping out all three Slovenia kicks, while Ronaldo atoned for his earlier miss by converting coolly with Portugal's first kick, before Fernandes and Bernardo Silva also converted as the Selecao edged through.

From despair to relief for Ronaldo

Ronaldo's frustrations were evident throughout the group stage as he failed to net in three games, the first time he has done so in 11 major tournaments (World Cup or European Championship) throughout his career.

For 120 minutes, things did not improve in the round of 16, with the five-time Ballon d'Or winner reaching 20 shots at this tournament without netting, overtaking Kai Havertz and Kylian Mbappe (15 each) for most shots attempted.

He accumulated 1.33 expected goals (xG) from seven shots on his own, more than every other player on the pitch combined, while failing to convert a penalty in a major tournament match for the third time in nine attempts.

However, he would not be denied in the shoot-out, setting the tone with an excellent first kick for Portugal as they survived a massive scare.

Oblak heroics count for nothing

The entire tie revolved around Ronaldo's battle with Oblak, a man he has faced off against in many a Madrid derby.

The Slovenia goalkeeper was in incredible form through the 120 minutes, making six saves as Portugal were pushed all the way.

However, he was outdone by Costa in the end, the Porto man becoming the first goalkeeper to ever save three penalties in a European Championship shoot-out.

Match Events

0' Penalty Missed!  (Josip Ilicic)

0' Penalty Goal! Portugal  Slovenia

0' Penalty Missed!

0' The match is about to start!

0' Brilliant run from Jota before being fouled by Drkusic! Penalty for Portugal!

0' Ronaldo in tears is being shown on the big screen to the whole stadium

0' Match Event for Portugal vs Slovenia

0' Highlight from Portugal vs Slovenia

0' Highlight from Portugal vs Slovenia

5' Corner comes all the way across to Ruben Dias, but his volley is well wide!

8' First bit of action for Ronaldo as he picked out by Leao but he tackled in box!

10' The fans cheer as Cristiano Ronaldo does a bit of showboating!

14' Bernardo swings in a cross but just above Ronaldo's head & beyond Bruno's boot!

26' Leao knocks Cerin down!

28' Pepe collides with Oblak and the referee calls it a foul!

35' Ronaldo's powerful and swerving strike inches over the crossbar!

38' Vitinha crosses towards Ronaldo but he can't nod it in from close range!

40' Ronaldo lines up to shoot with a free-kick from the left wing but shoots wide!

44' Benjamin Sesko's long-range shot is saved by Diogo Costa!

47' Brilliant run from Cancelo who passes to Bernardo, but he shoots over the goal!

48' Rafael Leao cuts it back to Palhinha who fizzes a shot just wide from 22 yards!

50' Pepe knocked down by Sesko!

56' Another free-kick from Ronaldo flies through the wall but punched away by Oblak!

62' Sesko pressured by Pepe when he could have sped away but drags his shot wide!

65' Smoke appearing on the field!

66' Portugal bring on Diogo Jota for Vitinha, an attacking change!

71' Cristiano Ronaldo pops this free-kick over the bar from 30 yards!

77' Portugal send on Francisco Conceicao for Rafael Leao!

81' Timi Max Elsnik catches Bruno Fernandes but he's okay after receiving treatment!

89' Jota plays a reverse ball into Ronaldo but his first-time effort saved by Oblak!

95' Verbic carries it forward and crashes in a shot but deflected wide for a corner!

99' Conceição puts in a cross and Jota heads it towards goal but saved by Oblak!

105' Penalty Missed! Ronaldo fires towards bottom corner but Oblak makes the save!

108' A bit frustrated? Ronaldo clashed with Oblak during aerial duel!

115' Highlight from Portugal vs Slovenia

117' Highlight from Portugal vs Slovenia

Line-ups

Portugal XI: Ronaldo, Pepe, Cancelo, Bruno Fernandes, João Palhinha, Ruben Dias, Bernardo, Diogo Costa, Leao, Vitinha, Nuno Mendes

Subs: Patricio, Danilo Pereira, Semedo, Jose Sa, Neves, Jota, Dalot, Felix, Pedro Neto, Matheus Nunes, Francisco Conceição, Gonçalo Ramos, Gonçalo Inácio, António Silva, João Neves

Slovenia XI: Oblak, Jure Balkovec, Andraz Sporar, Petar Stojanović, Timi Max Elsnik, Jan Mlakar, Zan Karnicnik, Adam Gnezda Cerin, Jaka Bijol, Vanja Drkusic, Benjamin Sesko

Subs: Ilicic, Vid Belec, Kurtic, Miha Blazic, Benjamin Verbic, Stankovič, Sandi Lovric, Zan Celar, Tomi Horvat, David Brekalo, Nino Zugelj, Zan Vipotnik, Igor Vekic, Adrian Zeljkovic