Euro cup 2024: Portugal clashes debutant Slovenia in knockout clash

Portugal plays Slovenia on Monday in the pre-quarterfinals at the European Championship. The game kicks off at 9 pm local time (1900 GMT, 12.30 am [Tuesday]) at the Waldstadion in Frankfurt.

The winner will advance to face Belgium or France in the quarterfinals on Friday. Here's what to know about the match:

Match facts

Portugal starts the group stage with wins over the Czech Republic and Turkey, then rests some starters in the third game and loses 2-0. Sound familiar? Portugal started Euro 2008 just as it has 16 years later. Then, Portugal did not get momentum back and was eliminated in the first knockout round to a German team heading to the final. Slovenia is a different kind of test.

Slovenia will play its first knockout game at a major tournament in 32 years as an independent soccer nation. Slovenia went home after the group stage at Euro 2000, and the World Cups of 2002 and 2010, though only the top two advanced at those tournaments.

Slovenia started Euro 2024 the same way