Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa saved three Slovenian penalties to give his side a 3-0 penalty shootout win after Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off in a dramatic last-16 match at Euro 2024 on Monday.
Portugal forward Ronaldo broke down in tears after missing a penalty in the first extra time of a goalless draw in Frankfurt.
But he recovered and converted in the penalty shootout as Portugal survived to set up a quarter-final meeting with France.
Slovenia fought bravely to guard Portugal. Jan Oblak made a superb save to keep Ronaldo out of the penalty spot after a foul on Diogo Jota.
However, Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, and Bernardo Silva scored in the penalty shootout, and the Slovenian trio made a mistake, heartbreakingly dispatching the Selecao.
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez reverted to a more familiar 4-3-3 formation after debutants Georgia confused his team in their final group game by fielding three full-backs.
The Euro 2016 winners dominated possession and created their first chance after 12 minutes when Silva’s inviting cross went past Ronaldo and Fernandes could not turn home from close range.
Playing their first knockout match at a major tournament, Slovenia held their defensive shape well and limited Portugal’s chances.
Former Real Madrid striker Ronaldo, under pressure from Vanja Drkusic, scored a soft header against his old nemesis, Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Oblak.
The Slovenian defender was penalized moments later for bringing down the attacking Rafael Leao de Oblak.
Ronaldo firmly smashed the free kick over the bar with the goalkeeper at full speed.
Slovenia scored their first goal just before half-time when RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko fired at Costa from the edge of the penalty area.
Portugal holding midfielder Joao Palhinha hit the outside of the post with a low shot in the last shot of the first half after good work from the menacing Lea.
Ronaldo stopped Oblak firmly with another venomous free-kick early in the second half as the Al-Nassri forward tried vainly to break down the Slovenian defense that held England to a comfortable goalless draw in the group stage.
Matjaz Kek’s team had a golden chance to take the lead with a rare penalty, but Sesko missed when he beat the oldest player in the competition’s history, 41-year-old Pepe.
Portugal captain Ronaldo, still determined to score, scored another free kick with more than 20 minutes remaining.
The striker had a chance to equalize in the opener after two minutes, but he could shoot straight at Oblak on the left, which led to extra time.
