July 1 – For the first time in these European Championships, the make-up of the crowd at the Deutsche Bank Park in Frankfurt for the last 16 tie between Portugal and Slovenia was somewhat neutral, except of course it wasn’t (40% Portugal/Slovenia – 60% Ronaldo fans).
As always, all eyes were on the most Instagrammable person on the planet, CR7, Cristiano Ronaldo and he would have a major say in a night of high drama that would last 120 minutes plus penalty kicks.
With the roof closed on the arena, it sometimes felt like a rock concert featuring ‘CR7 and the Ronettes’ such was the screaming anytime the lead singer got near the ball. His fans had plenty of opportunities to test their lungs as Portugal bossed possession 67% to 33% but could not find the right notes.
A little session of ‘keepy-uppy’ from the main man almost brought the house down in the 15thminute, however, as the chances dried up for Portugal, the Slovenian fans started indulging in their own gamesmanship. Chants of ‘Messi, Messi’ began raining down from the Slovenian side of the stadium taunting the star man.
When Ronaldo wasn’t involved, it was the left-hand side of Portugal featuring Rafael Leao and Alexandre Nuno Mendes (who is seriously quick) that looked highly imaginative, energised, and dangerous. The direct running of the pair was causing Slovenia all kinds of problems and their head coach, Roberto Martinez was close by offering encouragement in his technical area.
His counterpart, Matiaz Kek set his side up in a traditional 4-4-2 and while this might not have had the same creative flair as his opponent’s 4-3-3 it made them compact and organised. In terms of creating chances though, it was slim pickings as any opportunities would be either from a set-piece or counter-attack.
The first 45 minutes flew by with no clear-cut opportunities but lots of Ronaldo close-ups looking, happy, annoyed, and mostly frustrated at his inability to find the extra inches to make some of the superb crosses coming from both sides of the pitch count.
The second half was a rinse and repeat of the first period with the possession stat even more pronounced in Portugal’s favor, 71% – 29%, but still no breakthrough.
In the 62nd minute, the peerless, Pepe, found himself in the one situation he couldn’t overcome, a foot race. Benjamin Sesko, 21 years younger, than the elder statesmen, found the extra yards but couldn’t beat Diogo Costa, who would later have a huge say in the result of the match.
With pyrotechnic flares exploding in the Slovenian end of the stadium, and smoke wafting across the pitch, the atmosphere cranked up another couple of notches, as did the Portuguese attacks. A couple of desperate Slovenian lunges led to Ronaldo free kicks in dangerous areas but the rockstar couldn’t deliver.
As the match moved into the last ten minutes of normal time, the play became increasingly scrappy as Slovenian could smell extra time, however with a minute remaining, Ronaldo was released with a chance to win it, only for Oblak to smother his effort superbly.
Referee, Daniele Orsato’s whistle brought an end to a highly absorbing game of attack (Portugal) versus defense (Slovenia).
In the 103rd minute, second-half substitute, Diogo Jota barreled down the middle of the park and into the box at pace. Vanja Drkusic stuck out a leg. They tangled. Jota fell.
Orsato pointed to the spot and here was Ronaldo’s time. The only problem was Oblak hadn’t read the script and to say his penalty save was brilliant is a disservice as he launched himself to the left and palmed Ronaldo’s fiercely struck kick around the post. Surely Slovenia’s night?
The teams huddled at the break, and the cameras panned to CR7 who promptly burst into tears.
The last period was about survival for Slovenia but then in the 115th minute a chance to win the game. Father time finally caught up with Pepe who fell over the ball. Sesko raced clear with a moment to write his name in Slovenian football history, but he telegraphed his effort and Costa guessed correctly and stuck out his right leg to save his team and Ronaldo’s pride.
With the final whistle, we were left with the lottery of penalty kicks. Ronaldo won the coin flip and the Portuguese fans roared in delight as the action would take place right in front of them.
Now for the first time tonight, Ronaldo would play the supporting role as Costa simply refused to be beaten. Three times Slovenian players stepped up to the spot and three times, Costa denied them. Josip Iličić went to his right, sensational save. Jure Balkovec went to his left, even better save, and then Benjamin Verbic completed Costa’s hat trick.
Bernardo Silva who had had a quiet night by his standards sent Oblak the wrong way and Portugal were through.
Slovenia will bow out of this tournament with their heads held high though, while Portugal and Ronaldo will face France in a repeat of the 2016 final that saw CR7 in tears as he succumbed to an early injury. Portugal won that day in an upset.
Will history repeat itself in Hamburg, once home to the Beatles or will the rockstar of football have the last word? He usually does!
Contact the writer of this story, Nick Webster, at moc.l1734948159labto1734948159ofdlr1734948159owedi1734948159sni@o1734948159fni1734948159