Fulham’s Joao Palhinha played the whole 120 minutes as Portugal reached the quarter finals of the European Champions on penalties after a goalless draw with Slovenia in Frankfurt this evening.
Palhinha – the subject of continued speculation about a move to Bayern Munich this summer – made a number of trademark tackles in the first half but Portugal struggled to break down a stubborn Slovenian side. Skipper Cristiano Ronaldo was left in floods of tears after seeing his penalty that would have won the match superbly saved by Slovenian goalkeeper Jan Oblak – and Portugal were grateful that Benjamin Sesko failed to convert two one-on-one opportunities at the other end.
Portugal progressed after their goalkeeper Diego Costa made three stunning saves at the start of the penalty shoot out, leaving Bernardo Silva to score the decisive spot-kick. Portugal’s shoot-out success sets up a mouthwatering meeting with France in Hamburg on Friday.
