Portugal have secured a spot in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals after a thrilling shootout victory against Slovenia, setting up a showdown with France.
The match ended in a goalless draw after extra time, with Portugal prevailing three-nil on penalties.
Cristiano Ronaldo who was initially distraught when his penalty was saved in extra time, recovered to score his country’s first penalty in the shootout.
Goalkeeper Diogo Costa then made history by saving all three of Slovenia’s penalties, paving the way for Bernardo Silva to score the decisive spot-kick.
Diogo Costa’s outstanding performance marked him as the first goalkeeper to save three penalties in a UEFA European Championship shootout.
Portugal’s next challenge awaits against France in Hamburg on Friday, as Slovenia departs the tournament in heartbreak.
Meanwhile, France clinched their spot in the quarter-finals with a narrow one-nil victory over Belgium, thanks to a late own goal by Jan Vertonghen.
The match, which had lacked excitement for much of its duration, appeared headed for extra time until substitute Randal Kolo Muani’s shot deflected off Vertonghen five minutes from the final whistle.
