Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez insisted his team “played very well” despite requiring a penalty shootout to defeat Slovenia in the European Championship round-of-16 stage.
Martinez’s side booked a quarter-final spot after winning on spot kicks 3-0 after a goalless draw in which they dominated possession and chances on goal but could not break down a resolute Slovenian defence.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s penalty in extra-time was saved by Jan Oblak, but the 39-year-old forward scored his effort in the shootout to see Portugal set up a last-eight tie against France in Hamburg on Friday.
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“During the 90 minutes we had many chances and played very well,” Martinez said after the game.
“Slovenia is a very difficult team, if we had not scored first then it would have become very difficult. The pitch didn’t help the team with the ball in our attacks, it was very difficult.
“In the key moments we had situations where we didn’t score, but it was an opportunity to show passion, we showed that we can suffer and win. We fought and we are at the stage where the European Championship begins, now against France it will be different but today is something to celebrate.”
Martinez also hailed Portugal’s triumph as a “victory for unity”, after being asked about Ronaldo crying and being comforted by his team-mates after seeing his penalty kick saved in the match, before finding the net in the shootout.
“Ronaldo missed the penalty and then was decisive in starting the shootout,” Martinez said. “He set the stage and it was a victory for unity, for the dressing room.
“Cris is our captain and he showed that in life and in football there are difficult moments but we cannot give up, he showed what to do when things don’t go well.”
(Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
