Portugal is through to the quarterfinals in the European Championship.
A penalty shootout was required against Slovenia, where goalkeeper Diogo Costa saved three out of three penalties.
I was sad at first, now I'm overjoyed, said Cristiano Ronaldo after the match.
Favorites Portugal were as expected dominant and created most of the chances. But the really hot goal opportunities were missing. Cristiano Ronaldo tried and tried, but just like earlier in the tournament, the sharpness wasn't there. In the final stage of regular time, he got a cannon opportunity, but the stable goalkeeper Jan Oblak was safe and saved.
And Slovenia then? The underdog team played disciplined and made it difficult for Portugal. The team's attacking star Benjamin Sesko would also get a golden opportunity. The 21-year-old got a free shot – but with the 20-year-older Pepe chasing and panting in his neck, the finish was anything but precise.
0–0 after regular time and in extra time, Portugal again had a lot of ball possession but continued to struggle to break down the cleverly playing Slovenia. In the end, the golden opportunity would come. Portugal's Diogo Jota was fouled in the penalty area and the referee pointed to the penalty spot.
Up stepped Cristiano Ronaldo and missed. Oblak stretched out and made an incredibly strong save with his fingertips. Slovenia was then extremely close to deciding the match in extra time, but Diogo Costa saved when Sesko again got a free shot.
In the subsequent penalty shootout, it was not Oblak who was in the center, but Portugal's Costa. The 24-year-old dominated completely and saved three out of three penalties. The Portuguese penalty takers – Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, and Bernardo Silva – were simultaneously rock-solid, and Portugal could win.
I was sad at first, now I'm overjoyed. This is what football gives you, I can't explain it, said Ronaldo after the match.
Another who expressed his happiness over the win was match hero Diogo Costa.
This is probably the best match of my life. I focused as hard as I could.
For Portugal, a quarterfinal against France awaits on Friday.
