Euro 2024: Portugal v Slovenia

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Portugal will look to avenge a friendly defeat to Slovenia in March when they clash again in the round of 16 at Euro 2024 tomorrow.

Goals from Adam Gnezda Cerin and Timi Elsnik saw Slovenia to a 2-0 win in Ljubljana although the visitors were without several key men in Ruben Dias, Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes.

Portugal also come in on the back of a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Georgia in their final group game.

Midfielder Palhinha is aware of Slovenia’s strengths. He said: “They’re a very competitive team, one of the greatest surprises of this Euro. We had the chance to play a friendly match against them, so they’re a team we know well.

“We expect it to be a very competitive match, similar to the matches we had in the group stage. As we progress in this competition, the matches will become increasingly difficult. We’ll face this one as if it were our final [game].”

Slovenia emerged from Group C in third place after draws against Denmark, Serbia and England.

Coach Matjaz Kek is urging his players not to get lulled into a false sense of security after their friendly win.

He said: “These are two completely different matches. That game was important because it created a positive atmosphere. But we would be foolish to think ‘we’ve already beaten them’.

“If anyone lives off that 2-0, we will be in big trouble. Everyone knows who the favourite is, but on our side are the challenge, the motivation, and the great satisfaction that we are not yet on vacation.”

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