Final result: Portugal-Slovenia 3-0 on penalties
PORTUGAL edited by Paolo Lora Lamia
Diogo Costa 8.5 – The Portuguese number one lives an evening almost as a non-paying spectator. Almost, because from the second extra time onwards he is the absolute hero: first he keeps the score at 0-0 with a great save on Sesko and then he neutralizes all 3 Slovenian penalty kicks.
Cancelo 6.5 – The former Inter and Juve full-back does not shine at the start, emerging instead much more evidently with his frequent forays after the interval. From 117′ Semedo sv.
Day 6 – Dangerous after a few minutes on a dead ball, he then dedicates himself to defending.
Pepper 6.5 – Attentive in the defensive phase, when necessary he clears away without paying too much attention to aesthetics. The rector of Martinez’s rearguard, with very few errors. From 117′ R. Neves sv.
N.Mendes 6 – Among the best of the first half, for pushing on the left as well as for decisive defensive interventions. Good performance overall.
B. Fernandes 6 – He lights up the Portuguese action on several occasions, both as a finisher and sometimes as a final executor. He declines as the match progresses, but is glacial in the penalty lottery.
Palhinha 6.5 – The metronome in front of the defense who, when Slovenia starts again, is always in the right place, sometimes preventing the ball from reaching Diogo Costa.
Vine 6 – Good performance in the nerve center of the field. He carries the ball and, in some circumstances, serves his teammates in an inviting way. From 65′ D. Jota 6 – Great impact on the match, for the impetus it gives to Portugal’s attacking maneuver.
B. Silva 7 – He doesn’t stand out like he did on other occasions, neither as an attacking winger nor when he drops back to midfield. However, he has the merit of sending his team to the quarter-finals by converting the last penalty.
Ronaldo 6 – He fights with great vigor and wants the goal like no other, but during the 90 minutes he spins a lot of empty and misses a penalty in extra time. Like true champions, he redeems himself by converting the first penalty of the final series.
Leao 5.5 – Clearly the brightest in the Portuguese eleven in the first half. With his bursts and his quality, he always keeps Kek’s rearguard in suspense. Things go much worse in the second half of the game. From 76′ Conceicao 5.5 – Among the Portuguese substitutes, he is certainly not one of the brightest.
Roberto Martinez 6.5 – A much more complicated match than expected for his team, who however did not give up and were cooler on penalties. Overall, a deserved qualification.
SLOVENIA edited by Paolo Lora Lamia
Cloud 7 – He confirms himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the world, neutralizing a penalty to Ronaldo in the 90 minutes. He does not repeat himself, however, in the final series, being beaten on 3 occasions out of 3.
Karničnik 5.5 – Tough night for him, who has to face a Leao in a state of grace. He improves slightly as the minutes pass.
Drkusic 6.5 – A wall erected to protect Oblak, against which several opponent attempts crash. He holds up well in the duel with CR7, missing only on the penalty that is however saved by Oblak.
Bijol 6.5 – The Udinese centre-back continues his good performance against England, proving to be alert in many situations.
Balkovec 5,5 – He mainly thinks about containing, but he does it profitably despite the fact that Cancelo is increasingly dangerous on his side. From 11 meters, he loses the duel with Diogo Costa.
Stojanovic 5.5 – A dangerous ball placed in the center of the area and little else, in a match mostly of suffering and little precision. From 86′ Verb 6 – One of the best during extra time, but he didn’t complete his performance by converting the penalty.
Cerin 6 – Lots of substance in the key area of the pitch from number 22, who doesn’t decline during the match.
Elsnik 6 – Uses the sabre when needed, but also tries to set up. Plays various roles, always with application. From 106′ Ilicic 5.5 – He comes in to provide the spark, but instead mostly makes his mark with his error from the penalty spot.
Mlakar 5.5 – The Pisa player is seen going forward on a couple of occasions, but without making much of an impact. From 74′ Stankovic 6 – Both in the final and in extra time, he deserves a passing grade.
Spore 6 – Little served by his teammates, he is rarely seen in the final meters. He improves after the break, at least in terms of dirty work for the team. From 74′ Hide 6 – Good entry, keeping the Portuguese centre-backs busy several times.
Sesco 5.5 – He lights up intermittently, proving more consistent from the second half onwards. On the occasion in extra time, it was more his mistake than a good save by Diogo Costa.
Matjaz Kek 6 – He holds Portugal back, forcing them to penalties. His team deserves applause despite their elimination.