Cristiano Ronaldo was in tears after missing a crucial penalty in Portugal’s Euro 2024 last-16 tie against Slovenia on Monday evening.
After the game ended goalless in 90 minutes, Portugal were handed a huge chance to take the lead in the first half of extra time when they were given a generous penalty for a foul on Diogo Jota.
Ronaldo, who has scored 130 goals for Portugal and had converted his last 24 penalties, stepped up to take the spot kick but it was well saved by Slovenia goalkeeper Jan Oblak.
He becomes the first goalkeeper to save a Ronaldo penalty since the Republic of Ireland’s Gavin Bazunu in their 2-1 defeat to Portugal in September 2021.
The half-time whistle for extra time was blown shortly after and Ronaldo was seen in tears on the touchline during the Portugal team huddle.
The 39-year-old was then consoled by Portugal teammate Diogo Dalot as he made his way back onto the pitch.
‘He’s an emotional guy, obviously, as you can see,’ Ronaldo’s former Portugal teammate Jose Fonte told the BBC shortly before the penalty shootout.
‘He feels the game, that will hurt him for sure.’
Portugal were unable to find a goal in extra time and the tie went to a penalty shootout, where Slovenia saw all three of their spot kicks saved by Diogo Costa.
The Portugal goalkeeper is now the only goalkeeper in the history of the European Championship to save three penalties in a shootout.
Ronaldo stepped up to take Portugal’s first penalty and went for the opposite corner at his second attempt which Oblak was unable to keep out.
After scoring his penalty in the shootout, Ronaldo held up his hands in what looked like an apology gesture to Portugal’s supporters.
Bruno Fernandes outfoxed Oblak with Portugal’s second penalty, while Bernardo Silva sealed his nation’s win by scoring their third spot kick.
Portugal will now play France, who beat Belgium 1-0 earlier on Monday, in their Euro 2024 quarter final on Friday at 8pm.
