When is it? How can you watch it? What are the possible line-ups?
Portugal and Slovenia meet in the Round Of 16 match at UEFA EURO 2024.
Portugal and Slovenia at a glance
When: Tuesday 02 July (03:00 GMT+8 kick-off)
Where: Frankfurt Arena, Frankfurt
What: UEFA EURO 2024 Round Of 16
What do you need to know?
Portugal go into this last-16 contest having had their wings clipped last time out, a run of 12 consecutive victories in EURO qualifying and finals games halted by Georgia in a surprise 2-0 loss. That said, the EURO 2016 winners had already won Group F by then and made multiple changes, while they also believe the defeat could provide key lessons. “Slovenia will be defensive and try to hit us on the counterattack,” said defender Danilo. “This game provided an example of that and we need to do exactly the opposite of what we did.”
Slovenia will not mind either way. Through to their first-ever knockout phase at a major tournament, Matjaž Kek’s charges have drawn their last four EURO games, most recently thwarting England’s attacking talents in a goalless stalemate. “We’ve had a difficult group here but we have a top-quality team,” said the coach, whose side beat Portugal in the nations’ very first meeting this March – a 2-0 friendly win in Ljubljana, where Adam Gnezda Čerin and Timi Elšnik made the scoresheet.
Form guide
Portugal:
Form (all competitions, most recent first): LWWWLW
Slovenia:
Form (all competitions, most recent first): DDDDWW
Expert predictions
Carlos Machado, Portugal reporter
Portugal know that all eyes will be on them after the shock defeat against Georgia. Against a Slovenia side who also like to defend with a low block, coach Roberto Martínez is expected to return to the winning formula which helped them claim victory over Türkiye. The Seleção will certainly be highly motivated to perform well in this one to show that the Georgia defeat was a one-off.
Grega Sever, Slovenia reporter
Slovenia beat Portugal 2-0 a few months ago, but that was a friendly match and the Seleção rested some key players. Matjaž Kek will relish the underdog tag as he tries to mastermind another upset with his tried and tested approach of focus, discipline, hard running and teamwork. While Portugal can expect plenty of possession, Slovenia are prepared to ‘suffer’ and counter through the goal-hungry Benjamin Šeško up front.
Views from the camps
Roberto Martínez, Portugal coach: “I think everyone in the world of football knows what Slovenia did in the three games. We know them well from the game in March and it was no surprise for us to see why they had a clean sheet against England. They have a proper organisation of a club, so this is huge credit to the work of the coach. We all know the individual quality they have, the capacity to create a lot in quick attacks. They are a very complete team, so we have to be at our best.”
Matjaž Kek, Slovenia coach: “I just hope the boys remain relaxed and focused. We know who we are up against. Portugal are one of the favourites to win this EURO. But we want a good result and do not care too much about how we look on the pitch. I expect we will ‘suffer’ in certain moments. As it stands now, everybody is in contention for this match.”