Cristiano Ronaldo misses penalty but triumphs in shootout at Euro 2024

After an emotional missed penalty, Cristiano Ronaldo leads Portugal to victory in a tense Euro 2024 shootout.

Cristiano Ronaldo experienced a tumultuous evening at Euro 2024 during Portugal's last-16 clash with Slovenia. 

The iconic forward, visibly distraught, missed a crucial extra-time penalty, but later redeemed himself in a nail-biting penalty shootout.

The match, which remained goalless through normal and extra time, saw Ronaldo facing an intense personal challenge. 

After Slovenia's goalkeeper Jan Oblak made a stunning save to deny Ronaldo's penalty in the 105th minute, the Manchester United legend was seen overwhelmed with emotion, covering his face as tears flowed.

The scene was heart-wrenching not just on the field but also in the stands, where Ronaldo's mother, Maria Dolores dos Santos Aveiro, was captured in a state of distress. 

However, the mood shifted dramatically when the match proceeded to a penalty shootout. Ronaldo not only scored but also took a moment to apologize to Portugal fans with a humble expression, acknowledging his earlier miss.

Jose Fonte, Ronaldo's teammate from their Euro 2016 victory, commented on the BBC about Ronaldo's emotional depth, noting, "He's an emotional guy - he wants to score more than anything else. That will hurt him."

Ultimately, Portugal triumphed 3-0 in the shootout, with Ronaldo’s successful penalty helping to clinch the win. 

The striker's resilience and heartfelt apology highlighted his character and dedication, resonating with fans around the world.

Despite the earlier setback, Ronaldo's ability to bounce back under pressure underscored the evening's drama, which was characterized more by the emotions of an icon than by the overall performance of his team.