What we saw in Slovenia’s fourth match at Euro 2024: Despite the defeat, history was written, a story was written that will live forever

Published on 2. July 2024 2. July 2024

Photo: Vid Ponikvar / Sportida

Heroic, yet not quite enough. Fighting, spirited, unyielding, yet ultimately defeated. Slovenia bid farewell to Euro 2024. In the most painful way possible. They held Portugal for 120 minutes, but lost in a penalty shootout. Former young Slovenian national team player Rok Vodišek summed up Kek’s squad’s third game at the European Championship in Germany for Planet Football.

An old saying goes: those who wait, achieve. And we achieved it too. The first match of Slovenian national football team in knockout stages at major tournaments. And it was against one of the best national teams on the Old Continent. Featuring one of the best footballers in history. In Frankfurt, a large number of Slovenian fans gathered once again, loudly supporting our chosen team and joining the rest of Slovenia in crossing their fingers and hoping that our boys would create a surprise and send home one of the favorites of this tournament. They came close. So very close…

Portugal – Slovenia Live Score

In the opening minutes, Portugal took control and had more possession. However, they didn’t create noteworthy chances. Worth mentioning is the 13th minute, when Bruno Fernandes narrowly missed after a cross from the right. Our boys formed a defensive block and waited for a chance to counter-attack. In this segment of the game, they proved they could be very dangerous, and we all hoped they would demonstrate this in this match.

After the initial 20 minutes, Slovenian representatives slightly shook off the initial pressure and became more equal opponents. Still, after a foul on Leao near the penalty area in the 34th minute, Portugal had a good chance to threaten Jan Oblak. Portuguese captain Cristiano Ronaldo took the shot, aiming towards Oblak’s corner, but the ball narrowly missed over the goal. From the slow-motion replay, it was clear that our goalkeeper would likely have saved it if it was on target. We waited until the 44th minute for Slovenia’s first shot, a long-range attempt by Benjamin Šeško. Unfortunately, the ball flew too centrally, making it an easy save for Portuguese goalkeeper Diogo Costa. In the last attack of the first half, we saw Portugal’s most dangerous action. Palhinha attempted a shot from outside the penalty area, but fortunately for all, the ball narrowly missed the right post. Slovenians performed well in the first half, resisting the favored opponent and not allowing clear chances for Portugal. Unfortunately, they didn’t create significant opportunities themselves, but we still hoped they would do so in the second half.

Photo: Vid Ponikvar / Sportida

Portugal again dominated at the beginning of the second half. They had their first shot on target in the 55th minute, another free kick attempt by Ronaldo. He aimed again for Oblak’s corner, this time more accurately than in the first half, but Slovenian captain managed to deflect Ronaldo’s powerful shot. As expected, Portugal increasingly applied pressure and sought the lead goal. In the 61st minute, Slovenia got what they were looking for. In a one-on-one play, Šeško faced Pepe, and our forward used his speed to outpace the Portuguese defender but unfortunately finished weakly. Still, this action indicated how our boys could threaten Portugal’s goal. The remainder of the match saw similar play to the entire encounter. Portugal maintained possession, had territorial dominance, but failed to create chances. Once again, the entire team, led by the defensive pillar Jaka Bijol, did excellent work. Portugal threatened again towards the end of the half. In the 89th minute, Ronaldo shot dangerously after a deep pass, finding himself in a favorable position for a shot. However, Oblak positioned himself well and reacted promptly, not allowing a goal. In extra time, our defense repelled all opponent attacks, maintaining the initial 0-0, and the match went into extra time.

Photo: Vid Ponikvar / Sportida

In the first period of extra time, Benjamin Verbič, who came off the bench, had the first attempt in the 94th minute, but his shot was blocked. Portugal struggled and couldn’t find a way to break through Slovenia’s strong defense. Then came the 103rd minute. Diogo Jota penetrated into Slovenia’s penalty area, where, according to the main referee, he was improperly obstructed by Vanja Drkušić. Ronaldo took the penalty, placed it on the spot, and shot. At this point, most had already written a goal for Portugal, but they forgot that we have Slovenia’s incredible Jan Oblak in goal. Our captain read Ronaldo’s intentions, dove and stretched to make an incredible save, keeping Slovenians alive. In the 115th minute, everyone at the stadium held their breath. Experienced Pepe made a serious mistake, Šeško sprinted alone towards Portugal’s goal, shot, but this time Diogo Costa made an excellent reaction save. Both goalkeepers were thus the main reasons we saw no goals even in extra time, and the match ended in the most dramatic way possible. With a penalty shootout.

Photo: Vid Ponikvar / Sportida

It started poorly. Diogo Costa “imitated” Oblak, and in the same way our goalkeeper saved Ronaldo’s shot, the Portuguese goalkeeper also saved the first penalty from Josip Iličić. Ronaldo corrected his mistake from regular time and scored Portugal’s first penalty in the series. Then Diogo Costa excelled again, saving a shot from Jure Balkovec. On the other side, Bruno Fernandes confidently scored. As the third shooter for Slovenia, Verbič took the shot, and incredibly, Diogo Costa saved his third consecutive penalty. For victory, Portugal needed only one more goal, which Bernardo Silva scored, sending Portugal to the quarterfinals, where they will face France.

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Regardless, we can be insanely proud of our boys. They showed tremendous heart and proved to everyone that our team deserves to be in the knockout stages of the European Championship. They brought tears to one of the greatest footballers in history and competed excellently against a team valued at over a billion euros. But our heroes are worth even more than that. Once again, they sparked true football euphoria and spoiled us with their performances. 2 million Slovenes breathed together with our team, and we can all be incredibly proud of what our boys showed in Germany. Ultimately, they did not lose in regular time, despite playing against football powerhouses. They can return home with their heads held high, where I have no doubt a beautiful reception awaits them. And they truly deserve it. They wrote a history that we will never forget. Thank you!