Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa saved three penalties from Slovenia to give his side a 3-0 shootout win. Cristiano Ronaldo The Portugal forward freed himself from the spot in a dramatic Euro 2024 last 16 clash on Monday. Ronaldo was in tears after missing a penalty in the first period of extra-time in a goalless tie in Frankfurt. But he came back in the shoot-out and scored to send Portugal into a blockbuster quarter-final clash with France. Slovenia fought back valiantly to keep Portugal behind, with France taking a 1-0 lead. Jan Oblak made a brilliant save to stop Ronaldo's penalty after Diogo Jota was fouled.
However, Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes and Bernard Silva all scored in the shootout and the Slovenian trio missed, giving the Selecao the chance to score in heartbreaking fashion.
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez adopted a more familiar 4-3-3 system after his side suffered an embarrassing defeat to debutants Georgia in their final group match when he deployed three players at the back.
The Euro 2016 winners dominated the ball and created their first chance after 12 minutes when Silva's lovely cross eluded Ronaldo and Fernandes could not score at the far post.
Slovenia, playing their first knock-out match in a major competition, held their defence well and limited Portugal's chances.
Former Real Madrid striker Ronaldo scored with a soft header over his old rival Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Oblak under pressure from Vanja Drakusic.
The Slovenian defender was booked moments later for bringing down the goalkeeper as Rafael headed towards Leo Oblak's goal.
Ronaldo smashed the free-kick over the bar despite the goalkeeper being stretched wide.
Slovenia had their first effort just before halftime when RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Cesco fired past Costa from the edge of the box.
Portugal holding midfielder Joao Palhinha hit a low drive wide of the post with the final kick of the first half, followed by further good work from the dangerous Leao.
Ronaldo forced Oblak into a save with another thumping free-kick early in the second half as the Al-Nassr forward tried in vain to breach Slovenia's defensive wall as England comfortably held on for a goalless draw in the group stage.
Matjaz Kek ’s side had a golden chance to take the lead but Cesco missed the shot after beating 41-year-old Pepe, the oldest player in the competition’s history, for pace .
Portugal captain Ronaldo, determined to score, smashed another free-kick over the crossbar with 20 minutes remaining.
The striker had a chance to level the game from open play two minutes before the end but could only shoot straight at Oblak from the left, forcing extra time.
The pace slowed in extra time and the first period was uneventful, until the 103rd minute when Jota broke into the area and fell on the foot of Derkusic for a penalty.
Ronaldo hit a powerful shot to Oblak's left, but the goalkeeper made a brilliant save to prevent it from hitting the goalpost.
During the intermission of extra time, Ronaldo broke down in tears because of his miss, and Portugal fans sang his name to boost his shattered morale.
Slovenia missed another big chance when Pepe lost the ball from a loose pass and Cesco stole it and scored.
The forward hit the ball very close to Costa, who saved it well with his foot, necessitating a penalty shootout – a first in Slovenia.
Slovenia went first and substitute Josip Ilicic 's effort was brilliantly saved by Costa.
Ronaldo buried his kick and apologised to the fans behind the goal for missing the goal in added time, before Costa saved Slovenia's second goal from Jure Balkovec.
Costa saved Benjamin Verbic's third consecutive penalty after Fernandes had scored and Silva won it by sending Oblak the wrong way.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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