Football

Portugal's relentless determination and Diogo Costa's heroic saves propelled them to a hard-fought 3-0 penalty shootout victory over a resilient Slovenia in the Euro 2024 Round of 16. The match, played in Hamburg, Germany, was a tense affair that saw both teams battle valiantly for a place in the quarterfinals.After a scoreless 90 minutes, the game entered extra time, where Cristiano Ronaldo had a golden opportunity to break the deadlock from the penalty spot. However, Slovenia's goalkeeper, Jan Oblak, made a brilliant save, denying the Portuguese captain a chance to add to his legendary tally.As the game remained deadlocked, it went to a penalty shootout. Josep Ilicic's first kick for Slovenia was saved by Costa, giving Portugal an early advantage. Ronaldo stepped up and calmly converted his spot-kick, putting his team ahead. Jure Balkovec's subsequent miss for Slovenia sealed their fate.Costa continued his heroics, saving Benjamin Verbic's penalty, setting the stage for Bernardo Silva to confidently slot home the winning spot-kick. Portugal's victory was a testament to their resilience and the brilliance of their goalkeeper.In the quarterfinals, Portugal will face a formidable challenge in the form of France, who defeated Germany in their Round of 16 match. The two European powerhouses will clash in Hamburg on Friday, with a place in the semifinals at stake.

Slovenia's historic Euro 2024 campaign has reached the last-16 stage, where they face the formidable Portugal. Despite their impressive unbeaten run, Slovenia's star striker Benjamin Sesko has yet to find the back of the net.Sesko's absence from the scoresheet is a departure from his prolific form for RB Leipzig, where he scored in each of his last seven games. His versatility as a striker is evident in his ability to score with his head, unleash fierce strikes from distance, and possess exceptional speed and physicality.Despite Sesko's goal drought, Slovenia has shown resilience and determination in their group stage matches. They held England to a 1-1 draw, narrowly missed out on a victory against Denmark, and drew with Serbia in a heart-wrenching 1-1 tie.Their third-place finish in Group C sets up a clash with Portugal, who impressed with wins over Czech Republic and Turkey. However, Portugal's talismanic forward Cristiano Ronaldo has also failed to score in the tournament.Ronaldo, despite his advancing age, remains a pivotal figure for Portugal. His experience and leadership will be crucial against Slovenia, who will be looking to exploit any weaknesses in the Portuguese defense.Sesko, who was just a toddler when Ronaldo made his Euro debut in 2004, will be eager to make his mark on the tournament. His potential and the underdog status of Slovenia could inspire a similar upset to Greece's victory over Portugal in the 2004 final.

England vs Slovenia: Euro 2024 Group C Clash PreviewEngland and Slovenia will face off in a crucial Euro 2024 Group C match on Wednesday, June 26th, with both teams vying for a spot in the knockout stages.England, currently atop the group standings with four points, can secure their place in the Round of 16 with a victory. The Three Lions opened their campaign with a 2-0 win over Serbia before drawing 1-1 with Denmark.Slovenia, meanwhile, has two points from their first two matches, having drawn 1-1 with both Serbia and Denmark. A win against England would propel them into the knockout stages.Match Details:* Date: Wednesday, June 26th* Time: 12:30 AM IST* Venue: Cologne StadiumBroadcast Information:* TV: Sony Sports Network* Live Streaming: SonyLiv app and websiteKey Players to Watch:* England: Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling, Phil Foden* Slovenia: Benjamin Sesko, Josip Ilicic, Jan OblakAnalysis:England will be the favorites heading into this match, given their superior quality and recent form. However, Slovenia has shown resilience and determination in their previous matches, and they will be no pushovers.England's attacking prowess, led by captain Harry Kane, will be a major threat to Slovenia. The Three Lions also have a solid defense, marshaled by John Stones and Harry Maguire.Slovenia will need to be organized and disciplined in defense to contain England's attack. They will also need to take their chances on the counterattack, with Benjamin Sesko and Josip Ilicic capable of causing problems for the English defense.Prediction:England is the more likely team to win this match, but Slovenia has the potential to cause an upset. A narrow 2-1 victory for England seems like a reasonable prediction.

In a thrilling encounter at Euro 2024, Luka Jovic's last-gasp header rescued a 1-1 draw for Serbia against Slovenia, keeping both teams in contention for a place in the knockout stages.Slovenia, seeking their first-ever tournament victory, took the lead through Zan Karnicnik in the second half. However, Serbia refused to be denied, with Jovic nodding in a corner in the dying moments to snatch a vital point.Serbia coach Dragan Stojkovic made three changes to his team, recalling captain Dusan Tadic after their opening defeat to England. Slovenia, buoyed by their draw with Denmark, started brightly and created early chances.Despite Serbia's attacking duo of Dusan Vlahovic and Aleksandar Mitrovic threatening, it was Slovenia who broke the deadlock. Karnicnik initiated and finished the move, stabbing home Timi Max Elsnik's cross.Mitrovic continued to be denied by Slovenia goalkeeper Jan Oblak, while Benjamin Sesko kept Serbia's defense on their toes. As the game entered its final stages, Serbia's desperation grew.With time running out, Jovic rose highest to meet a corner and secure a dramatic equalizer. The result leaves Slovenia with two points from two games, while Serbia has one point ahead of their clash with Denmark.Both teams will be looking to secure a place in the last 16 when they face England and Denmark, respectively, in their final group matches.

Slovenia's return to the European Championship after a 24-year absence has ignited a surge of excitement and motivation within the team, fueled by the success of their sporting compatriots. Midfielder Timi Max Elsnik, one of three home-based players in the squad, expressed the team's determination to make a mark on the tournament."Slovenia is a phenomenon when it comes to sports," Elsnik said. "Football may not have been the most important sport in recent years, but we've reached the Euros and it's a chance to rejoin other sports in the spotlight."Slovenia's sporting achievements include two Tour de France victories by Tadej Pogacar and the NBA stardom of Luka Doncic. These successes have created a positive atmosphere and a belief that the football team can also excel.The team's return to the Euros is a testament to their hard work and dedication. They have played in two World Cups (2002 and 2010) and are eager to make a statement in Germany. Their opening match against Denmark on Sunday will be a crucial test."The number of messages you get, the faces of people in the street show everything," Elsnik said. "The Euros mean a lot to the people. Slovenia is a small country and every sporting success is important."Slovenia's group also includes Serbia and England, but Elsnik insists they are not just making up the numbers. "Teams like ours have been waiting too long to participate in the Euros," he said. "We've reached our goal by coming here already, but this is not the end.""The best teams in Europe are here and we are among them. I don't think it should be a burden, we shouldn't feel too much pressure. Everyone will give their utmost, but we shouldn't forget to enjoy these moments."Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand has identified RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko as Slovenia's primary threat after his five goals in qualifying. However, Slovenia boss Matjaz Kek sees the 21-year-old as "one of the pieces of the bigger picture.""He is one of the cogs in the machine," said Kek, who can also call upon former Atalanta star Josip Ilicic. The 36-year-old Ilicic scored on his Slovenia comeback last week, having not played for his country since November 2021 after suffering with mental health issues.Slovenia's success at the Euros will not only be a triumph for the team but also a source of pride for the entire nation. Their journey is a reminder that anything is possible with determination and a belief in oneself.

Christian Eriksen's remarkable return to international football was marked by a goal in Denmark's 1-1 draw with Slovenia in their opening match of Euro 2024. The Manchester United midfielder, who suffered a cardiac arrest during Denmark's first game at the previous tournament, fired his team ahead on 17 minutes in front of a Stuttgart stadium filled overwhelmingly by Denmark supporters.Eriksen's goal was a testament to his resilience and determination. Just three years ago, he was fighting for his life on the pitch. Now, he is back playing at the highest level and making a significant contribution to his country.Slovenia, who were making their first appearance at the Euros since 2000, fought back to earn a point through Erik Janza's late deflected effort. The result leaves both teams with work to do in their remaining Group C matches.Denmark, who reached the semi-finals of the pandemic-delayed Euro 2020 tournament, will be disappointed not to have taken all three points against Slovenia. However, they will take heart from Eriksen's performance and will be confident of qualifying for the knockout stages.Slovenia, meanwhile, will be pleased with their point and will be hoping to cause an upset when they face Serbia in their next match.