Portugal talisman Cristiano Ronaldo reacted profoundly to his tear-inducing penalty miss in Monday's Euro 2024 last-16 success over Slovenia.
The 39-year-old ended the Euros group stage without a single goal to his name for the first time in his career, having struck before the knockouts in each of his previous five appearances at the continental championships.
Ronaldo was therefore on a one-man mission to break his Euro 2024 duck in Monday's last-16 affair, but he endured another 90 minutes of goalmouth agony as the Jan Oblak-inspired Slovenians defended valiantly.
However, the Al-Nassr attacker was presented with a golden chance to finally open his account from the penalty spot in extra time, only for Atletico Madrid number one Oblak to dive the right way and prolong his German misery.
Ronaldo could not hold back the tears at half time in extra time as his teammates rallied around him, some offering a shoulder to cry on and others offering some harsh words of encouragement ahead of the dreaded penalty shootout.
Cristiano Ronaldo's penalty was SAVED 😲#BBCEuros #Euro2024 #PORSVN pic.twitter.com/1qAM6RUoBW
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 1, 2024
Ronaldo: 'Football is about inexplicable moments'
The ex-Manchester United and Real Madrid man stepped up first for his country and found the opposite corner before offering an apologetic gesture to the Selecao supporters, who witnessed goalkeeper Diogo Costa save all three of Slovenia's spot kicks.
Speaking to the media after the game - as quoted by the Daily Mail - Ronaldo lamented fluffing his lines when he "needed it most" but affirmed that the 2016 European champions were worthy winners on the night.
"Sadness at the start is joy at the end. That's what football is. Moments, inexplicable moments," Ronaldo said. "One direct shot to give the team the lead and I didn't manage it.
"Oblak made a good save ... I will have to see the penalty again. I don't know if I shot well or badly, but I haven't missed once all year, and when I needed it most, Oblak saved it.
'I think Portugal deserved it because we had more authority. Slovenia spent almost the entire game defending. It's very difficult and the whole team is to be congratulated, especially our goalkeeper who made three very good saves."
Ronaldo has "already forgot" about penalty miss
© Reuters
Further lifting the lid on his 12-yard heartache to RTP, the veteran attacker claimed that he had already forgotten about his wasted opportunity and insisted that a player cannot fail without first stepping up.
"It's football, the one who fails is the one who tries too. Obviously it's a frustration when we can't score but it's football," Ronaldo added. "I already forgot [about it] because the end result was positive, we won, it's the most important thing.
"Sometimes it's difficult to score penalties, I've scored more than 200 in my career. But I lost twice this year on penalties and today I won. Football sometimes has to be fair and today it was fair because I think Portugal deserved to win."
As he awaits his first goal of the tournament, Ronaldo has now attempted 20 shots at Euro 2024 without success, with only four players - Dani Olmo, Kevin De Bruyne, Fernando Hierro and Deco - having more without scoring at a men's European Championship.
However, the 39-year-old will no doubt be expected to keep his spot in attack for Friday's mouthwatering quarter-final against France, where he comes face-to-face with Kylian Mbappe in Hamburg.
Ben Knapton
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