After a scoreless first half, Portugal advanced to the round of 16 at Euro 2024 thanks to a 3-0 penalty shootout victory over Slovenia.

Portugal had 20 shots and 72% possession, but they failed to make many good chances in the last third and failed to win the match.

Even Bruno Fernandes had a night he won’t soon forget. The captain of Manchester United was one of Portugal’s most important players for the whole match, receiving 120 touches.

Although Fernandes usually has excellent passing accuracy (76%), he fell short this time, completing just five of thirteen crosses out of eighty-five attempts.

оn the plus side, he cоmpleted eight оf fоurteen lоng balls and was instrumental in setting up his team’s оffensive pоssibilities, making fоur crucial passes.

Throughout the match, Fernandes did very little offensively, trying just one dribble and failing to make a single shot on goal. Frighteningly, he misplaced possession forty times.

The physically dominant Slovenian team was too much for the Portuguese playmaker to handle. Despite losing both air engagements, he only managed to win four of thirteen ground duels.

Still, Fernandes showed tremendous tenacity in both his possession play and his tracking back to shore up his defense.

Against a physical Slovenian team, Fernandes managed to make three tackles. He was also effective in making one interception and one clearance.

Although Fernandes had a mixed game, he showed his value by helping out his nation in a crucial moment.

Jan Oblak saved Cristiano Ronaldo’s penalty in extra time, so it’s understandable that Fernandes was nervous about taking Portugal’s second spot in the subsequent shootout.

The Mаn Utd plаymаker kept his cоmpоsure under pressure аnd put Pоrtugаl up 2-0 аfter а quick run-up аnd shоt thаt beаt the gоаlkeeper.

Fernandes may not have been at his usual level in many respects, but he certainly contributed to Portugal’s win and was there for his team when they needed him.