Portugal and Slovenia head into extra time at 0-0 in Euro 2024 round of 16
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo shots a free kick during a round of sixteen match between Portugal and Slovenia at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Frankfurt, Germany, Monday, July 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Portugal and Slovenia are going to extra time tied at 0-0 after 90 minutes in their round of 16 game at the European Championship.
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo gestures during a round of sixteen match against Slovenia at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Frankfurt, Germany, Monday, July 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
On a frustrating evening for Cristiano Ronaldo, he was denied in the 89th minute when his clearest shooting chance was saved by Slovenia goalkeeper Jan Oblak diving low to his left.
Portugal's Pepe, left, and Slovenia's Benjamin Sesko vie for the ball during a round of sixteen match between Portugal and Slovenia at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Frankfurt, Germany, Monday, July 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
Ronaldo also failed to score with three free kicks fired from his ideal shooting range.
One in each half just cleared the Slovenia crossbar and a powerful drive in the 55th was beaten away by Oblak.
The 39-year-old Portugal star also failed to connect with headers twice on teasing crosses into the Slovenia goalmouth in the first half.
Slovenia forward Benjamin Šeško wasted his team’s best chance in the 62nd.
The speedy 21-year-old outpaced 41-year-old defender Pepe from the halfway line to enter the Portugal area but screwed a weak shot well wide of the goal.
The winner will advance to face France in the quarterfinals on Friday in Hamburg.
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AP Euro 2024: https://apnews.com/hub/euro-2024
Graham Dunbar, The Associated Press