Ronaldo leads changed Portugal against Slovenia in Euro 2024 last 16

Mon, Jul 1, 2024
Soccer News (AP)

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) - Cristiano Ronaldo was not dropped by Portugal for the round-of-16 game this time.

Ronaldo is captaining Portugal and leading the attack picked by coach Roberto Martinez to face Slovenia on Monday in Frankfurt in the first knockout round of the European Championship.

At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Ronaldo was benched by then-coach Fernando Santos for the round-of-16 game against Switzerland. His replacement Goncalo Ramos scored three times in a 6-1 win.

Ramos is on the bench on Monday with Ronaldo supported in attack by Rafael Leao and Bernardo Silva.

Martinez looks to have opted for a changed 4-3-3 formation, anchored by holding midfielder Joao Palhinha. Diogo Dalot had been playing in a three-man central defense.

Slovenia's 4-4-2 formation is led in attack by Benjamin Sesko, who was linked with a big-money move to Arsenal before extending his contract at Leipzig days before Euro 2024.

Sesko will be up against defender Pepe, 20 years older at age 41, and playing at his fifth Euros.

The winner will advance to face Belgium or France in the quarterfinals on Friday in Hamburg.

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Teams:

Portugal: Diogo Costa, Joao Cancelo, Pepe, Ruben Dias, Nuno Mendes; Bruno Fernandes, Joao Palhinha, Vitinha; Bernardo Silva, Rafael Leao, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Slovenia: Jan Oblak, Zan Karnicnik, Vanja Drkusic, Jaka Bijol, Jure Balkovec; Petar Stojanovic, Adam Gnezda Cerin, Timi Elsnik, Jan Mlakar; Andraz Sporar, Benjamin Sesko.

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AP Euro 2024: https://apnews.com/hub/euro-2024

GRAHAM DUNBAR Dunbar is an Associated Press sports news reporter in Geneva, Switzerland. He focuses on the governing bodies, institutions and politics of international sports. "