Portugal National Football Team vs Slovenia National Football Team Lineups: Euro 2024 XIs, Recent Form and What to Expect Next

Portugal and Slovenia don’t meet often, but the one competitive game between them was memorable. For fans searching for Portugal National Football Team vs Slovenia National Football Team Lineups, this guide covers the confirmed XIs from their Euro 2024 knockout tie, the form of both sides over their last ten matches, the coaching changes that have reshaped each squad, and a look at how a future meeting might line up. Everything is current as of 15 October 2026.

Quick Background: Two Very Different Football Nations

Portugal are one of Europe’s most consistent heavyweights. They are reigning UEFA Nations League champions after beating Spain on penalties in the 2025 final. They reached the Round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup before losing 1-0 to eventual champions Spain. Portugal sit around 5th to 6th in the FIFA rankings.

Slovenia are a smaller footballing nation with a proud recent history. They reached the knockout stage of a major tournament for the first time at Euro 2024. They are currently ranked around 52nd to 57th in the world and compete in League B of the Nations League. Both teams have also changed coach since that tournament. Roberto Martínez left Portugal after the World Cup and was replaced by Jorge Jesus, while Slovenia are now managed by Boštjan Cesar after the Matjaž Kek era.

Their Only Competitive Meeting: Euro 2024 Round of 16

The teams met on 1 July 2024 at Frankfurt Arena in the Euro 2024 Round of 16. The match finished 0-0 after extra time, and Portugal won the shootout 3-0. Cristiano Ronaldo missed a penalty during the game but scored in the shootout, and goalkeeper Diogo Costa saved all three Slovenian spot-kicks.

Confirmed Starting Lineups

Tactical Notes

Martínez reverted to his strongest side after resting several players in a surprise 2-0 group-stage loss to Georgia. Pepe, then 41, started at centre-back, becoming the oldest player in Euros history. Slovenia made just one change from the side that drew 0-0 with England, with Balkovec replacing the suspended Erik Janža. Kek’s compact 4-4-2 denied Portugal space between the lines, and Oblak was outstanding in goal.

Head-to-Head Summary

Portugal: Latest 10 Matches

Portugal have lost just one of their last ten games. That was the World Cup exit to Spain.

Summary: W7 D2 L1, with 19 goals scored and 8 conceded. Portugal lead Nations League A Group 4 with 12 points from 4 games.

Slovenia: Latest 10 Matches

Slovenia’s form is more mixed. They have a solid defensive base but have struggled for goals against stronger opponents.

Summary: W3 D3 L4, with 11 goals scored and 12 conceded. Slovenia are 2nd in Nations League B Group 1 with 7 points from 4 games.

Form Comparison at a Glance

How the Two Sides Are Likely to Line Up Today

There is no scheduled fixture between the teams. Portugal are in League A and Slovenia in League B, so they can’t meet in the Nations League group stage. Any future clash would come in a tournament draw or a friendly. The shape of each side is still clear from recent games.

Portugal under Jorge Jesus

Jesus took charge after the World Cup and has started with four wins from four. His first squad kept most established names. The projected XI for the Norway game was a 4-2-3-1 of Costa; Cancelo, Dias, Veiga, Mendes; Neves, Vitinha; Neto, Silva, Félix; with Ronaldo up front.

Ronaldo was left out of the starting XI for the second Norway game, with Gonçalo Ramos leading the line instead. Reports say he left the camp after tension with the coach. Whether that is resolved will matter for any future lineup. Vitinha was also rested in one game because of the heavy schedule, which shows how much rotation Portugal’s depth allows.

Slovenia under Boštjan Cesar

Slovenia have used a back-five system in the current Nations League campaign, a change from Kek’s 4-4-2. The spine of the side still matters most. Jan Oblak is one of the best goalkeepers in the world, Jaka Bijol anchors the defence, Adam Gnezda Čerin runs midfield, and Benjamin Šeško is the main goal threat. A future Portugal National Football Team vs Slovenia National Football Team Lineups preview would likely show Slovenia sitting deep, trusting Oblak and hitting on the counter. That is the approach that frustrated Portugal at Euro 2024.

Key Players to Watch

Portugal: Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva supply the creativity, Vitinha controls the tempo, and Rúben Dias leads a strong defence. Ronaldo, 41, remains the all-time leading international scorer with 146 goals. His role under Jesus is the biggest storyline.

Slovenia: Oblak is the team’s biggest asset, and Šeško is the main attacking threat. Gnezda Čerin and Bijol give the side experience and structure.

What the Numbers Suggest

Portugal’s last ten games show a team that scores freely and wins even when rotating. Slovenia’s results show a side that is hard to beat at home but fragile away against higher-ranked opposition. The Euro 2024 draw shows the gap can shrink in a one-off game when Slovenia defend in numbers and Oblak is in form. On current evidence, though, Portugal would be clear favourites in any rematch.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How many times have Portugal and Slovenia played each other in a competitive match?
Once, in the Round of 16 at Euro 2024. It ended 0-0 after extra time, and Portugal won 3-0 on penalties.

2. Who played in the Portugal and Slovenia Euro 2024 lineups?
Portugal started Costa; Cancelo, Dias, Pepe, Mendes; Fernandes, Palhinha, Vitinha; Silva, Ronaldo, Leão. Slovenia started Oblak; Karničnik, Drkušić, Bijol, Balkovec; Stojanović, Elšnik, Gnezda Čerin, Mlakar; Šeško, Šporar.

3. Who coaches Portugal and Slovenia now?
Jorge Jesus coaches Portugal, replacing Roberto Martínez after the 2026 World Cup. Boštjan Cesar coaches Slovenia, succeeding Matjaž Kek.

4. When is the next Portugal vs Slovenia match?
There is no scheduled fixture. Portugal’s next games are against Denmark on 14 November and Wales on 17 November. Slovenia face Switzerland on 13 November and North Macedonia on 16 November.

5. Who won the penalty shootout at Euro 2024?
Portugal won 3-0. Diogo Costa saved all three Slovenian penalties, and Ronaldo scored his after missing one during the match.

Conclusion

Searching for Portugal National Football Team vs Slovenia National Football Team Lineups mostly returns one match, the Frankfurt shootout drama of 1 July 2024. Since then, both teams have changed coaches and tactics. Portugal have the stronger squad and form under Jesus, while Slovenia rely on Oblak, Šeško and organisation. If they meet again, expect Portugal to dominate possession and Slovenia to defend deep, so another tight game is possible.

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