In the midst of extraordinary spectacles at Euro 2024, Cristiano Ronaldo was overcome with emotion after missing an extra-time penalty.
Mother In the last-16 match between Portugal and Slovenia, Maria Dolores dos Santos Aveiro was observed in the stands, visibly distressed, after Jan Oblak successfully thwarted Ron’s spot-kick.
However, the Manchester United legend was dealt a heart-stopping blow when the match was decided by a shootout.
Ron not only scored but also expressed his apologies to the Portuguese supporters as his team secured a 3-0 victory on penalties, following a goalless draw, to advance to the quarterfinals.
Cristiano Ronaldo looked inconsolable after his extra-time agony and Dalot immediately available
Ronaldo’s mum Maria Dolores dos Santos Aveiro was also tearful
Jan Oblak produced a stunning save from Ron’s penalty
Bruno Fernandes was among the players supporting Ronaldo
Ronaldo then regained his composure to net a shootout penalty
Nevertheless, the 105th minute was markedly different, as Oblak plunged full length to deflect Ron’s potent penalty.
At first, the 39-year-old striker simply placed his head in his palms and continued to play.
However, his emotions were eruptive when the initial period of the supplementary half-hour concluded a few seconds later.
He appeared to apologise to Portugal fans for his earlier miss when he tucked home his shootout spot-kick
Team-mates tried to console Ron as tears streamed out, seemingly uncontrollably.
The Al-Nassr star’s Euro 2016-winning team-mater 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.
Ronaldo let his emotions out in a tense clash
Team-mates were quick to rally round
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 missed with his spot-kick, smashing it into the opposite corner.
And rather than celebrating, he made an apology gesture to his country’s supporters inside the Frankfurt Arena by bringing his hands together.
Portugal easily prevailed in the shootout after Slovenia collapsed from the spot.
But more of the drama in the match before that had come from the emotions of a legendary figure than from the actions of his inferior team.