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 spotted distraught in the stands after Jan Oblak brilliantly foiled Ron’s spot-kick in Portugal’s last-16 nail-biter with Slovenia.
But there was a stirring twist for the Manchester United legend when the contest went to a shootout.
Ron not only scored but APOLOGISED to Portugal fans – as his side wrapped up a 3-0 win on penalties following the 0-0 draw.
However, it had looked so different in the 105th minute – when Oblak plunged full length to tip Ron’s powerful penalty away.
The 39-year-old striker at first just put his head in his hands and carried on.
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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.
The Al-Nassr star’s Euro 2016-winning team-mate Jose Fonte told the BBC: “He’s an emotional guy – he wants to score more than anything else. That will hurt him.”
Meanwhile, when cameras panned to the stands, his mum also looked tearful.
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Ronaldo had entered the game on a career-worst run of seven games in international tournaments without a goal.
And as Portugal struggled against outstanding defending from Slovenia, Ron had just a couple of chances in normal time to break that duck.
Then came his extra-time woe from the spot.
But Ronaldo showed his mental strength when the clash went to penalties.
He smashed his spot-kick into the opposite corner to his failed attempt.
And rather than celebrating, he put his hands together and made a humble expression – a gesture that said sorry to his country’s supporters inside the Frankfurt Arena.
Portugal then clinched a comfortable shootout success as Slovenia crumbed from the spot.
But it was a match where much of the drama before that had come from the emotions of an icon rather than the physical actions of his below-par 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.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
