Euro 2024 Wrap: Portugal advance after nervy penalty shootout win over Slovenia while France edge past Belgium

Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal reacts during the UEFA EURO 2024 round of 16 match between Portugal and Slovenia at Frankfurt Arena on July 01, 2024 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal reacts during the UEFA EURO 2024 round of 16 match between Portugal and Slovenia at Frankfurt Arena on July 01, 2024 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany Credit: Photo by Ryan Pierse – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images

Portugal needed a penalty shootout to advance to the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 after avoiding a scare against Slovenia. 

Roberto Martinez’s side have been touted as tournament favourites in many quarters but will have to show a lot more if they are to live up to those expectations. 

And they have goalkeeper Diogo Costa to thank who saved all three Slovenia penalties from Josip Iliicic, Jure Balkovec and Benjamin Verbic.

It also meant prolific marksman Cristiano Ronaldo could breathe a huge sigh of relief after he missed a spot-kick in extra-time to win the tie. 

Ronaldo even scored his penalty in the shootout with Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva also netting.

Meanwhile, France squeezed past neighbours Belgium in their last-16 showdown. 

Didier Deschamps’ side failed to fully ignite but did not have to against a Belgian team who have flattered throughout the tournament. 



But they needed a deflected strike from Randal Kolo Muani to see them off - with former Tottenham Hotspur defender the unlucky party to be credited with the own-goal. 

France will now play against Portugal in the next round in a re-run of the Euro 2016 final that the Portuguese won.

Elsewhere in the last-16, England edged past Slovakia in Gelsenkirchen with a 2-1 victory. 

Slovakia took the lead in the first-half through Ivan Schranz’s opener. 

It looked as if the Slovakians were on course to secure a famous win until Jude Bellingham levelled in the closing stages of normal time. 



And just moments into extra time, Harry kane scored for Gareth Southgate’s men to stave off their Slovakian scare. 

Spain also advanced to the last-eight with a 4-1 success over Georgia. 

Robin Le Normand’s own-goal gave Willy Sagnol’s Georgia a shock lead before the Spaniards moved through the gears. 

Rodri equalised for Spain before the half-time break, while Fabian Ruiz, Nico Williams and Dani Olmo also got in on the act during the second half against a gallant Georgia. 

And on Saturday, Germany ran out 2-0 victors over Denmark as Kai Havertz and Jamal Musiala scored to set up a date with Spain in the quarter-finals. 

 

 

Last-16: Results & fixtures

Switzerland 2-0 Italy

Germany 2-0 Denmark 

England 2-1 Slovakia (AET)

Spain 4-1 Georgia

France 1-0 Belgium

Portugal 0-0 Slovenia (Portugal win 3-0 on penalties)

Romania v Netherlands

Austria v Turkey

Quarter-final draw: 

Spain v Germany

Portugal v France

Romania/Netherlands v Austria/Turkey

England v Switzerland

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