Portugal went from disappointment to euphoria after a historic penalty shootout by goalkeeper Diogo Costa, who saved three shots, to beat Slovenia in Frankfurt on Monday (0-0, 3-0) to join France in the quarter-finals of the 2024 World Cup.

After the shock of France and Belgium (1-0), the poster of the semi-final of the 2018 World Cup, the Blues have the right to take revenge on the executioner of their dream on home soil in the final of the 2016 European Championship. This is eight years after Eder’s winning goal, which is etched in the memory of millions of French people.

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Despite their bloated squad full of excellent ball-handling players, Portugal were warned: at this stage of the competition there were no more “small” nations, only strong contenders. Slovenia qualified for the last 16 of a major tournament for the first time in their history, all the way to the end.

They ultimately lost only after 120 minutes of superhuman effort against an in-form keeper, who saved all three attempts from Ilic, Balkovic and Verbeek, while Cristiano Ronaldo, in tears after missing a qualifying penalty in extra time (105), showed immense composure to convert his team’s first shot. Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes and Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva were also unfazed.

Ronaldo frustrated then released

For this epic conclusion, Ronaldo, still searching for the success that had eluded him for the first time in his career at a major international tournament, tried once again to be his country’s savior. Incidentally, the oldest player to score at the European Championship is 39 years old.

But it didn’t work and much of the blame lies with the heroic and tall Slovenian defence, led by midfielder Vanja Drkosic. Impenetrable in duels, also in the air, and yet one of the strengths of the best scorer in the history of the Seleção (130 goals in 211 games).

Received several very short good crosses from Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes (4th, 14th, 31st, 36th) The Al-Nassr striker spent a lot of time calling for fouls from the opponent, but without result, after the Italian referee Daniele Orsato decided to whistle them. Letting a lot of play despite several controversial situations.

In a sign that his goal-scoring prowess has not waned, CR7 was keen to recall his attacking prowess from the free-kick, but his four attempts (34, 38, 55, 72) either went wide or found the ball in the way. Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak, again in the 89th minute, saved the former Real Madrid striker’s cross, which ultimately escaped the Slovenian pincers.

On the Slovenian side, the qualifying balls may have been at his feet, Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, a great support for his partners and generous in his efforts, completely smashed his left-footed effort after saving Pepe’s cutback (62) before Diogo Costa saved his final chance with his foot (115th minute).

Surprise guests in the knockout stages, Slovenia did not get the reward they were hoping for after this performance, but they can easily leave with their heads held high, claiming that – in the match – they held their own against two of the biggest nations in world football, England (0-0) and Portugal (0-0).