New Delhi: The raw outpour of emotions were on display during the Euro 2024 Round of 16 clash between Portugal and Slovenia on Monday. The 2016 champions survived a massive scare against the European minnows and scraped through to the quarter-finals with a battling victory in a tense penalty shootout. Cristiano Ronaldo, the biggest superstar on show in the tournament, was, unsurprisingly, at the centre of things in a high-octane match.
It’s hard to believe that the Portuguese talisman, who is the highest goal-scorer in the history of international football, is yet to score in Euro 2024. He did have an opportunity to get off the mark, albeit via a penalty, but failed to beat an inspired Jon Oblak. Ronaldo was inconsolable following the missed penalty in extra-time.
As Ronaldo wiped the tears off his face, the thought of playing his last match at a major tournament crept into his mind. More tears flowed as the game went into a penalty shootout.
With a now-or-never situation in front of him, Ronaldo gathered his emotions and took the responsibility of taking Portugal’s first spot-kick. With a picture of Oblak’s save minutes ago playing in a loop in his mind, Ronaldo stepped up and finally found the net.
“It’s hard enough going up to take a penalty anyway, but taking one in that situation when you’ve just missed a penalty at such a crucial time… unbelievable,” said former England forward Alan Shearer on BBC One.
He showed his experience and nerves of steel while taking the spot-kick under immense pressure. Diogo Costa did the rest with three fantastic saves to seal Portugal’s quarters berth.
But ahead of the penalty shootout when Portugal were in a team huddle, Ronaldo, not for the first time, showed his emotional side. During the huddle, Ronaldo, after spotting his mother in the stands, started crying inconsolably.
Watch Ronaldo cries during Portugal vs Slovenia clash
Cristiano Ronaldo saw his mother crying in the stands and completely broke down. 💔 pic.twitter.com/0wLfIdboSB
— TC (@totalcristiano) July 2, 2024
Ronaldo chases elusive goal
The emotional outing in the Round of 16 and the huge score, might just trigger a shift in his fortunes. With an unwavering spotlight throughout the match and the tournament, Ronaldo must embrace the expectations and not get bogged down by them.
That has been his biggest strength. Shutting down critics and fulfilling the expectations of his fans has been fuel for his immense success.
Despite registering the most shots (20) on goal in the tournament, he has yet to find the net. Trying too hard to find the net might be one of the reasons that the elusive goal – which would make him the oldest goal-scorer in the history of the European Championships – has eluded him.
Perhaps, it’s time for Ronaldo to go back to the drawing board, not try too hard and let his goal-scoring instincts take over.
In a night of raw emotions, Cristiano Ronaldo cried inconsolably after spotting his mother in the stands during Portugal vs Slovenia Euro 2024 last 16 match. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
