Cristiano Ronaldo was in tears after penalty kick failure before Euro 2024 redemption

The win was within reach.Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo was caught crying on the pitch after missing a late penalty kick that would have put his team up 1-0 during a Euro 2024 Round of 16 matchup against Slovenia on Monday.

Diogo Jota earned a penalty for Portugal in extra time after being fouled by Slovenia defender Vanja Drkusic in the box.The Portuguese legend and five-time Ballon d’Or winner kissed the ball, placed it on the penalty mark and then blasted it to the bottom-right corner.Unfortunately for Ronaldo, Slovenia keeper Jan Oblak guessed correctly and made an impressive save, as his country’s fans and players erupted in excitement — and as Ronaldo became emotional.“We all know that Cris is the hardest worker.

I understand how frustrated he is,” Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa told reporters, according to the Associated Press.“For me, it’s an honor to play on the same team.”Ronaldo had scored on his previous 13 penalty attempts before Oblak made the save, according to ESPN, and it kept him scoreless — with just one assist — through the tournament.Ronaldo’s tears most likely stemmed from the fact that if Portugal lost this game, the team would be automatically eliminated from UEFA Euro 2024 and Slovenia would advance to the quarter-finals.He eventually ensured that didn’t happen.

After two thrilling overtimes, the game remained scoreless and went to a penalty shootout.Ronaldo had his revenge against Oblak and nailed the ball in the bottom left corner, putting one on the board for his team that eventually advanced 3-0 on penalty kicks.“I was sad and now I’m overjoyed.This is what football gives you,” Ronaldo said in an interview that was translated, according to the AP.The hard-fought victory sent Portugal, which won two of its three Group F matches to advance, and its captain to a quarterfinal matchup with France on Friday, with France defeating Belgium, 1-0, in their Round of 16 match....