CRISTIANO RONALDO was in floods of tears after missing an extra-time penalty amid extraordinary scenes at Euro 2024.
Mum Maria Dolores dos Santos Aveiro was also distraught in the stands after Jan Oblak brilliantly foiled Ron‘s spot-kick in Portugal’s last-16 nail-biter with Slovenia.
Cristiano Ronaldo looked inconsolableGetty
Ronaldo’s mum Maria Dolores dos Santos Aveiro was also tearful
ReutersJan Oblak produced an absolutely stunning save from Ron’s penalty[/caption]
ReutersBruno Fernandes was among the players supporting Ronaldo[/caption]
ReutersRonaldo kept his cool to net his second penalty[/caption]
Ronaldo appeared to apologise to Portugal fans for his earlier miss when he tucked home his shootout spot-kickReuters
But there was an incredible twist for the Manchester United legend when the contest went to a shootout.
Ron not only scored but APOLOGISED to Portuguese fans before his side wrapped up a 3-0 route to the quarter-finals on penalties.
However, it was so different in the 105th minute – when Oblak plunged full length to tip Ron’s decent penalty away with the tie locked at 0-0.
The 39-year-old striker at first just put his head in his arms and carried on.
But when the first period of the additional half-hour ended a few seconds later, his emotions erupted.
Team-mates tried to console Ron as tears streamed out, seemingly uncontrollably.
And when cameras panned to the stands, his mum also looked tearful.
Ronaldo entered the game on a career-worst run of seven games in international tournaments without a goal.
Cristiano Ronaldo let his emotions out
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Team-mates tried to console the legend
And as Portugal struggled against outstanding defending from Slovenia, Ron had just a couple of chances in normal time to break that duck.
Slovenia’s outstanding defending limited him to just a couple of half-chances in normal time.
Then came his extra-time woe from the spot.
But Ronaldo made up for it when the clash went to penalties.
He smashed his spot-kick in the opposite corner.
And rather than celebrating he put his hands together and made a humble expression – in a gesture saying sorry to his country’s supporters at a sell-out Dusseldorf Stadium.
Portugal then clinched a 3-0 shootout success following a 0-0 draw where much of the drama came from the emotions of an icon rather than the limited creativity of his side.
How Portugal have performed at the Euros with Cristiano Ronaldo
CRISTIANO RONALDO has been a model of longevity for more than two decades in an outstanding international career.
Euro 2004
After making his international debut in 2003, Ronaldo’s first Euros came in 2004.
Ronaldo marked his Euro debut with a goal in a 2-1 defeat to Greece – his first for Portugal.
He scored his second in the semi-final win over the Netherlands, but Portugal met Greece again in the final, losing 1-0 in shock result.
Euro 2008
Ronaldo was Portugal captain four years later but Euro 2008 was the least impactful tournament he’s had.
There was still time for a standout performance, though, as Ronaldo scored once and set up two more in a group-stage win over the Czech Republic.
Euro 2012
Playing at Real Madrid at the time, Ronaldo was the top goalscorer at Euro 2012, with three goals, including a brace in the group stage against the Netherlands.
Portugal’s quarter-final against Czech Republic was heading towards a stalemate with 10 minutes to go and they needed a special moment from him.
His powerful header in the dying minutes took Portugal to the semi-finals where they lost on penalties to Spain.
Euro 2016
Ronaldo scored three goals in Euro 2016, with Portugal crowned CHAMPIONS after defeating France 1-0 in extra time in the final.
After suffering an injury inside the opening 16 minutes against France, he was forced to watch from the sidelines.
Yet the Portugal captain became a cheerleader, and helped coach his team-mates to the historic victory.
He matched Michel Platini’s record of nine goals by the end of Euro 2016.
Euro 2020
Ronaldo made history again with FIVE goals at Euro 2020, the most of any player at a Euros.
Yet it was arguably Portugal’s least exciting affair, as they exited in the Round of 16 following a 1-0 defeat to Belgium.
With his goals in this tournament, Ronaldo became the top goalscorer at the European Championship with 14 goals.
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