Cristiano Ronaldo missed a crucial penalty kick during the Round of 16 at the UEFA European Championship and immediately started to cry. He burst into tears after failing to convert on the perfect opportunity to give Portugal a 1-0 lead over Slovenia in Extra Time.
It was a rather vulnerable moment for one of the greatest soccer players of all-time that drew a lot of criticism for its timing.
Ronaldo is 39 years old. He is a full-grown man. To let his emotions get the best of him in that moment was a rather soft display. There was still a lot of game to be played. The match was not over.
Neither Portugal nor Slovenia were able to find the back of the net during the first 90+ minutes of regulation. The EUROs 2024 match went into extra time without a goal scored.
Neither side could get anything going.
And then the momentum swung in Portugal’s favor during the 104th minute when Diogo Jota pushed into the box and drew a penalty. It was a controversial ruling, but the officials confirmed that it was a foul.
PENALTY FOR PORTUGAL 🇵🇹
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 1, 2024
Do you agree with the call? pic.twitter.com/FgQsxKs328
As a result, Ronaldo stepped up to the penalty mark with the weight of his nation on his shoulders.
He missed. Slovenian goalkeeper Jan Oblak made a heroic save!
SLOVENIA'S HERO TONIGHT 🧤🧱
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 1, 2024
This was absolutely unreal from Jan Oblak 🇸🇮 pic.twitter.com/uycUngyzhO
Ronaldo was unable to keep his emotions under control and he started to cry— or at least, he tried to cry. His teammates had to console him. It was so dramatic.
Ronaldo is overwhelmed with emotion after missing the penalty in extra time pic.twitter.com/xwxZ0gFAMa
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 1, 2024
Ronaldo’s penalty kick was Portugal’s best opportunity to win the match without a penalty shootout and Slovenia also failed to convert a chance shortly thereafter. The exhilarating Round of 16 match went to PKs after going scoreless through the first 120+ minutes.
Ronaldo beat Oblak on his second penalty attempt and put his country up one in the shootout. Portugal ultimately won 0-0 (3-0) and went through to the quarterfinals.
However, the lasting image of the match will be the tears of Cristiano Ronaldo.