• Portugal beat Slovenia on penalties in last 16 of Euro 2024
  • Diogo Costa saved three spot kicks in shootout to send Selecao through
  • Cristiano Ronaldo missed extra-time penalty on night to forget on individual level

Portugal needed the lottery of penalties to beat Slovenia in the last 16 of Euro 2024.

The two sides couldn't be separated after 120 minutes of football and the tie went to spot kicks, during which Diogo Costa saved three penalties to send the Selecao into a quarter-final against France.

Slovenia defended magnificently and were unfortunate not to have advanced themselves, but can hold their heads high after a heroic performance

How the game unfolded

Portugal began applying pressure early on and their first sight of goal came when a teasing Bernardo Silva cross drifted over the head of Cristiano Ronaldo, but did find Bruno Fernandes at the back post, only for his touch to divert the ball wide.

The best opportunity Slovenia had in the first half came from 30 yards when Benjamin Sesko let fly, but Costa was equal to his speculative of swerving effort.

With one final chance before the break, Rafael Leao darted in from the left hand-side and wrestled off the challenge of Zan Karnicnik before cutting the ball back for Joao Palhinha, whose effort went wide off the outside of the post.

Portugal again had most of the ball in the second half but were nearly undone on the counter when Sesko galloped past Pepe, only for the veteran defender to put him off just enough as his strike from the edge of the box trickled behind.

With 89 minutes on the clock, Ronaldo thought he had his moment. Diogo Jota dispossessed Karnicnik and sent Portugal's number seven racing through, but Jan Oblak easily denied him at the near post and the game went to extra-time.

12 minutes into extra-time, Portugal were awarded a penalty when Jota bundled into Drkusic at pace and drew a foul. Ronaldo stepped up but his shot was pushed onto the post and out by Oblak.

The Slovenian stopper was called into action again to tip over a Joao Palhinha header soon after as Portugal continued looking for a late winner.

The best chance to win the match in open play came when Pepe slipped in possession and Sesko sprinted in. With the world holding its breath, his shot was kept out by the toe of Costa and the tie went to penalties.

Costa was once again Portugal's saviour in that shootout, saving all three of Slovenia's penalties as the Selecao triumphed on spot kicks.

GK: Diogo Costa - 10/10 - Didn't have very much to do until late on when he saved Pepe's bacon and then Portugal as a team in the shootout. Remarkable.