New Delhi: It was another heartbreak for Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal who crashed out against France in the Euro 2024 quarterfinal match which headed into a penalty shootout and the Frenchmen pulled it off with a 5-3 win to set up a semifinal against Spain. With the defeat, Ronaldo’s bid to win the European Championship with Portugal came to an end in what was his last appearance at the showpiece tournament.
The 39-year-old made it his sixth and final Euros outing, eyeing to take Portugal to the title but the attempts were thwarted by France in the penalty shootout. Both teams played out a draw (0-0) in the full and extra time and France ultimately prevailed 5-3 on the penalties. In the shootout, all of France’s kicktakers converted their attempts sans Portugal’s Joao Felix who missed his kick, slamming the shot against the upright.
🇫🇷 France are faultless in the penalty shootout to advance 👏#EURO2024 | #PORFRA pic.twitter.com/6jdxFKs3XM
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) July 5, 2024
The Portuguese talisman had earlier told his nation’s public broadcaster RTP on Monday that this was going to be his last European Championship.
“It is, without doubt, my last European Championship. But I’m not emotional about that. I’m moved by all that football means – by the enthusiasm I have for the game, the enthusiasm for seeing my supporters, my family, the affection people have for me,” Ronaldo said after Portugal routed Slovenia to qualify for the quarterfinal after a 3-0 win on penalties. Ronaldo had notably led his team to the Euros title in 2016 — when Portugal had beaten France in the final.
Ronaldo stands pale after defeat
The football stalwart showed very few emotions and stood pale as he looked to try summing it all up, knowing that it was his last attempt to win the European championship with Portugal. After the defeat, Ronaldo, who scored Portugal’s first penalty in the shootout, stood alone looking distraught as fans saw him silently ending his Euros journey.
His longtime teammate Pepe was inconsolable as he hugged Ronaldo and sobbed on his shoulder and the Portugal talisman spent some time consoling the defender before making his way back.
Watch Ronaldo consoles Pepe after loss to France –
It’s heartbreak for Cristiano Ronaldo in what could be his final major tournament 💔🇵🇹
Consoling Pepe. Comforted by Didier Deschamps. Down the tunnel and out of #EURO2024. pic.twitter.com/0W1kit8Ccw
— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) July 5, 2024
As France sent Portugal home, it would have been a relief for the World Cup 2022 runner-up who had substituted talisman Kylian Mbappe before the shootout after he appeared to pick up a knock on his face. Mbappe is already competing with a face mask after suffering a heavy blow on the nose earlier in the tournament.
France have lost in penalty shootouts at its last two major tournaments, in the last 16 in Euro 2021 and in the 2022 World Cup final. The Frenchmen will now take on the Spaniards in the semifinals after their extra-time win over Germany in Stuttgart.
Cristiano Ronaldo silently ended his bid to win the 2024 European Championship as Portugal’s campaign came to an end, crashing out against France on penalties in the crucial Euro 2024 quarterfinal game. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
