Slovenia enters their EURO 2024 last-16 matchup with Portugal on Monday with a sense of accomplishment, having already secured their best-ever European Championship result. Remarkably, they’ve done this without a goal contribution from their star striker, Benjamin Sesko.
The 21-year-old RB Leipzig forward has yet to score in the tournament, but his season form suggests he is due for a breakthrough. Sesko ended the Bundesliga campaign with goals in his last seven matches, helping Leipzig finish in the top four. He was also Slovenia’s top scorer in the qualifiers.
Sesko has come close to scoring in Germany, nearly finding the net twice against Denmark with powerful long-range efforts that were just millimeters off target. These near-misses highlight his diverse skill set. At 1.95 meters tall, he is a formidable aerial threat but can also unleash powerful strikes from distance. His combination of speed, physicality, and finishing ability makes him a complete striker.
Just a year after moving to Leipzig from Red Bull Salzburg, Sesko has attracted interest from elite European clubs like Arsenal and Manchester United. However, in June, he chose to extend his contract with Leipzig until 2029, aiming to continue his development at one of Europe’s premier finishing schools.
Slovenia’s Unbeaten Run
Slovenia may not have won a match at Euro 2024 yet, but they have also avoided defeat, drawing with England, Denmark, and Serbia in the group stage. Their 1-1 draw with Serbia was particularly heartbreaking, as they were on the brink of their first-ever Euros victory until Luka Jovic scored in the fifth minute of injury time.
The margins in Group C were razor-thin, and a single victory might have seen Slovenia top the group. Instead, they finished third, missing out on second place due to disciplinary records, having received one more yellow card than runners-up Denmark.
Finishing third set up a meeting with Euro 2016 winners Portugal, who showed their class with wins over the Czech Republic and Turkey before a heavily rotated squad fell to underdogs Georgia in their final group match.
Portugal’s Challenge
Slovenia is participating in just their second Euros as an independent nation, having been eliminated at the group stage in Euro 2000. Their opponents on Monday in Frankfurt, however, have a rich history, having reached the semi-finals five times and being considered among the tournament favorites.
Portugal boasts a squad that rivals many of Europe’s larger nations despite their smaller population. Leading the charge is Cristiano Ronaldo, who remains the tournament’s biggest star even at 39. Like Sesko, Ronaldo has yet to score in this tournament, but he has still made significant contributions, including an assist to Bruno Fernandes that sealed the win against Turkey.
This tournament marks Ronaldo’s sixth appearance at the Euros, making him the first player to achieve this feat. With 14 goals, he holds the record for the most goals in European Championship history. Sesko was just one year old when Ronaldo, as a teenager, reached the Euro 2004 final on home soil, only to lose to Greece in a stunning upset.
The Underdog Spirit
With all the pressure on Ronaldo and Portugal, Slovenia and Sesko will be hoping to script a similar underdog story on Monday in Frankfurt. They aim to continue their unbeaten run and capitalize on the opportunity to make history against one of the tournament’s giants.
The stage is set for a thrilling encounter, where Slovenia’s resilience and Sesko’s potential for a breakthrough could combine to produce a memorable upset. As they prepare to face a formidable Portuguese side, Slovenia’s journey so far has shown they have the spirit and tenacity to challenge the best.
