Portugal have managed to make it to the Euro 2024 quarterfinals thanks to heroics from Diogo Costa. The goalkeeper saved all three penalties from Slovenia in the shootout and helped Portugal win the match.
The match ended goalless after extra despite both teams getting golden chances to win it. Cristiano Ronaldo had his penalty saved by Jan Oblak in extra time, while Benjamin Sesko saw his effort minutes later in a 1v1 situation saved by Portugal goalkeeper Costa.
In the shootout, Ronaldo made no mistake with Bruno Fernades and Bernardo Silva also doing the same. However, Josip Ilicic, Jure Balkovec and Benjamin Verbic had their efforts saved by Costa in the shootout. Portugal will now face France in the quarterfinals.
Here’s a look at Portugal vs Slovenia Player Ratings!
Portugal player ratings vs Slovenia
Goalkeeper
Diogo Costa – 10: Hardly called into action as Portugal dominated possession and were always in the attacking third. Made an excellent save in 1v1 situation with Sesko and then saved all three penalties in the shootout.
Defenders
João Cancelo – 8: Had an excellent game as he was involved in a lot of their attacks. Won most of his duels, but his crossing was not accurate enough.
Rúben Dias – 8: Did not put a foot wrong today and was never giving the Slovenian forwards any chance. Came close to scoring in the early stages from a corner, but his shot was just wide.
Pepe – 8: Rock solid at the back and never gave Sporar a moment’s peace. Also ended up showing Sesko that age was just a number and he still had a lot to offer.
Nuno Mendes – 8: A performance and a half from Mendes. The left-back was always available when and where needed and hardly put a foot wrong.
Midfielders
Vitinha – 7: Was doing well in the game but was surprisingly taken off after the hour mark.
João Palhinha – 8: Stopped the Slovenian counters even before they started and was not afraid to shoot from the edge of te box.
Bruno Fernandes – 6: Similar to Bernardo Silva – not good enough in the 120 minutes, but scored in the penalty shootout. Failed with all his dribble attempts and had his only shot blocked easily.
Forwards
Bernardo Silva – 6: Scored the winning penalty in the shootout but was not good enough in the 120 minutes.
Rafael Leão – 7: Kept trying his best in the 75 minutes on the pitch, but just not enough to get on the scoresheet.
Cristiano Ronaldo – 5: Missed all his freekicks, the golden chance to win late in normal time, and then saw his penalty saved in Extra Time.
Substitutes
Diogo Jota – 7
Francisco Conceição – 6
Nélson Semedo – 6
Rúben Neves – 6
Manager
Roberto Martinez – 7
Slovenia player ratings vs Portugal
Goalkeeper
Jan Oblak – 9: Excellent from start to the end. Made the crucial penalty save in the Extra Time, but his save at the end to deny Ronaldo in normal time will be remembered for years to come. Just could not replicate it in the penalty shootout.
Defenders
Žan Karničnik – 8: Was ready to throw himself in front of the Portuguese players to stop them from shooting. Leao was trying his best to get past him, but had a tough time.
Vanja Drkušić – 7: Gave away the penalty in extra time, but Jan Oblak saved him. Won most of his duels and was on Ronaldo’s toes all the time.
Jaka Bijol – 8: Cristiano Ronaldo himself would be realising how tough Bijol was to play against in this game.
Jure Balkovec – 7.5: Was incredible in the game and never gave Bernardo Silva or Cancelo the freedom to shoot from range. Unlucky with the penalty miss in the shootout
Midfielders
Petar Stojanović – 6: Nothing in attack, nothing in defense. He was just not able to help the right-back with Leao and the Portuguese was enjoying his duels.
Adam Gnezda Čerin – 6.5: Played the full match, but just could not get the ball forward quick enough.
Timi Max Elšnik – 7: Played 105 minutes, but hardly get himself forward most of the time. He did manage a shot, but it was wide.
Jan Mlakar – 5.5: Never managed to get himself in the game and was getting beaten by Cancelo and Silva easily. Should have done a lot better in attack and defense.
Forwards
Andraž Šporar – 6: Another game where he just could not live up to the moment. Did not have a single shot in the match despite playing 75 minutes.
Benjamin Šeško – 6.5: Did not have a good game, but had the best chance to win it deep into extra time. However, his shot was easily saved by Diogo Costa.
Substitutes
Jon Gorenc Stanković – 6
Žan Celar – 6
Benjamin Verbič – 5
Josip Iličić – 4.5
Manager
Matjaž Kek – 7