As Jan Oblak’s hand tipped Cristiano Ronaldo’s extra-time penalty on to the submit, the Portuguese legend’s goals shattered in a second.
He had “hit all-time low”.
The 39-year-old, who afterwards advised Portuguese media this was his final Euros, bowed his head and burst into tears whereas team-mates raced to console their captain, with Slovenia threatening one of many Euros’ greatest ever shocks.
A legendary European Championship profession appeared set to finish within the cruellest of how.
- Creator, Emma Sanders
- Function, BBC Sport journalist at Frankfurt Enviornment
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Ronaldo’s penalty was saved in further time with the last-16 tie goalless, however simply quarter-hour later he stepped as much as the identical spot to fireside within the first of his nation’s shootout kicks.
Goalkeeper Diogo Costa then made Euros historical past with three penalty shootout saves as Portugal survived a humiliating exit, overcoming Slovenia to set-up a quarter-final tie with France.
Extra tears fell from Ronaldo – this time of pure pleasure and reduction.
“Even the strongest individuals have their [bad] days. I used to be at all-time low when the staff wanted me probably the most,” mentioned Ronaldo afterwards, earlier than tearing up once more.
“Disappointment in the beginning is pleasure on the finish. That is what soccer is. Moments, inexplicable moments. I really feel unhappy and blissful on the similar time.
“However the essential factor is to get pleasure from it. The staff did a unprecedented job. We fought proper to the top and I feel we deserved it as a result of we had extra authority.”
‘He should not be in tears’
Portugal’s talisman skilled each emotion possible in 120 minutes.
He’s nonetheless but to attain at Euro 2024 and was within the highlight all through the match, displaying his feelings and frustrations as he missed quite a few probabilities.
His entrance had been greeted with an enormous roar from the Portugal followers – the identical supporters who chanted his identify when his penalty was saved by Oblak.
On the different finish, Slovenian supporters jeered, let off flares, banged drums and celebrated every time his efforts missed the goal.
Regardless of 20 pictures on aim within the event – probably the most by any participant – he’s but to seek out the online. To make issues worse, he has missed three of his 9 penalties at main tournaments.
“Everyone knows that Cristiano is the toughest employee,” mentioned goalkeeper Costa, who was the hero on the evening.
“I perceive how annoyed he’s as a result of he devotes all his time to this. It’s a pleasure and an honour to be on the identical staff as him.
“We’re a household, I actually suppose this. I give attention to making the very best of those probabilities and I needed to assist the staff. That is crucial factor.
“That is most likely the very best recreation of my life.”
As his frustration grew via the evening, Ronaldo fell to his knees, trying on the sky, pleading for luck to come back his means.
He roared in frustration and air-punched the bottom when crosses flew over his head, as he tried every part to grow to be the oldest goalscorer at a European Championship.
With each free-kick that got here and went, he has now scored simply one of many 60 direct free-kicks he has tried at main worldwide tournaments, the desperation grew.
Later, he turned to supporters and waved his arms frantically, asking for extra noise and praying for them to not surrender.
When his spot-kick was saved, Portugal followers sang “Viva Ronaldo” after his emotional outburst was proven on the massive display within the Frankfurt Enviornment.
Former Scotland winger Pat Nevin reacted in disbelief on BBC Radio 5 Stay: “He missed a penalty kick. He should not be in tears.”
However when he ultimately scored within the shootout, there have been no flamboyant celebrations, only a nod to the followers behind the aim and an apology.
“It is exhausting sufficient going as much as take a penalty anyway, however taking one in that scenario while you’ve simply missed a penalty at such a vital time… unbelievable,” mentioned former England striker Alan Shearer on BBC One.
“That is why they’re nice gamers – as a result of they’ve nice psychological power.
“I feel there are a few events the place 10 years in the past there is not any doubt he would have gotten on the top of it. It has been a Ronaldo present, although, hasn’t it?”
Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown, added: “Psychologically, we noticed the tears and we noticed the professionalism [to step up and score in the penalty shootout].
“It was outstanding from Costa. They relied upon him. Cristiano Ronaldo… It wasn’t about him tonight. It was about that man [Costa].”
‘We’re all very pleased with our captain’
Having mentioned this will likely be his final Euros, Ronaldo’s need to attain a aim and obtain success with Portugal is even larger.
The Portugual skipper has already made historical past in Germany, by showing at a file sixth European Championship.
He has additionally scored probably the most European Championship targets (14) and made probably the most appearances (28) at a Euros.
“There is a facet of him the place he turns into extra of a staff participant for Portugal than some other membership staff he is performed for,” mentioned former Scotland striker Nevin.
“The nation means quite a bit to him. I do not suppose he will not care if he does not rating, however the precedence is on the outcomes.”
Ronaldo turned the primary participant to attain a penalty in three penalty shootouts on the Euros.
Nevertheless, he has obtained criticism for his aim drought and that’s unlikely to decrease after occasions in Frankfurt.
However Portugal boss Roberto Martinez says he’s a “fixed instance” for all gamers in his homeland.
“While you see a participant, the one participant to play in six Euros, with the need and that perception [like a] younger man – these feelings are unimaginable for somebody who has received every part and skilled every part,” mentioned Martinez.
“He does not have to care that a lot and that’s the reason I thank him for the way in which he’s. For caring for the group. For being somebody who after lacking a penalty was the primary penalty taker [in the shootout].
“I knew for sure he needed to be the primary penalty taker and present us the way in which to the victory. We’re all very, very pleased with our captain.
“The dressing room was delighted and I feel he gave us a lesson in having actual excessive requirements and by no means giving up. Life and soccer offer you tough moments and he’s an instance that we’re actually pleased with in Portuguese soccer.”
Ronaldo’s misfortune in stats
- He has now tried over twice as many direct free-kicks in Euros competitions than some other participant, failing to attain, since information started in 1980.
- Amongst gamers and not using a aim at Euro 2024 thus far, Ronaldo has had probably the most pictures (20).
- It’s his longest goalscoring drought in main tournaments. He has scored in each main event earlier than this.
- He has not netted in his final eight Euros or World Cup video games.
- Ronaldo had scored his final 24 penalties in all competitions however his file on the Euros is 5 scored and two missed – together with in penalty shootouts.
- For the primary time in his profession, Ronaldo failed to attain within the group stage of a serious event at Euro 2024.