Cristiano Ronaldo cops backlash over 'ridiculous' mid-match act in Portugal win at Euros
Fans couldn't believe how the Portugal superstar reacted during the match.
Football fans have been left in disbelief at Cristiano Ronaldo's reaction after the Portugal leader broke down in tears having missed a penalty in extra-time during Portugal's Euros 2024 win. Portugal, 2016 Euro winners, were fortunate to escape with a victory against Slovakia after goalkeeper Diogo Costa produced three brilliant saves in the penalty shootout to send his nation through to the quarter-final.
Costa's brilliance helped save Ronaldo's blushes after the forward endured a horror night as he continues to struggle in the Euros with no goals in the tournament so far. Ronaldo wasted a number of good free-kick opportunities throughout the contest as Slovakia defended stoically.
After the game went into extra-time, Portugal were awarded a penalty when Diego Jota was brought down inside the box. Ronaldo stepped up to put Portugal in the lead, which he has done so often throughout his illustrious career.
This time Ronaldo was unfortunate with Jan Oblak saving his penalty to his left. Ronaldo was shellshocked and as the teams went into the change of ends in extra-time, Ronaldo was seen in tears as his teammates consoled him.
The images left football fans baffled with Portugal still 0-0 and right in the game with 15 minutes left. Ronaldo then put the miss behind him as he stepped up first in the penalty shootout to score for his nation. While Portugal celebrated, fans were felt baffled at the images with Ronaldo fortunate to stay on the field for 120 minutes after a lacklustre performance.
ESPN writer Mark Ogden questioned why Ronaldo was allowed to continue to take ever free-kick after the poor attempts. “The Ronaldo show is becoming ridiculous now," he wrote. "Great player, one of the absolute best ever, but this is not an U-10 game where the greedy kid gets to take all the free-kicks and miss all the chances.”
Football fans stunned at Cristiano Ronaldo's reaction
Others pointed out his reaction to a penalty miss, when the game wasn't over, wasn't a strong look for the rest of the squad. Coach Roberto Martinez will have a big decision on whether to keep playing Ronaldo further into the competition with Jota coming on and adding more dynamism to the attack.
The Ronaldo show is becoming ridiculous now. Great player, one of the absolute best ever, but this is not an U-10 game where the greedy kid gets to take all the free-kicks and miss all the chances
— Mark Ogden (@MarkOgden_) July 1, 2024
Ronaldo in tears when the game is still on. Where is the leadership mentality you guys talked he had
— Dan (@SpiritualOxygen) July 1, 2024
Ronaldo already crying when the match is on and his team is still in the competition.
Where is the leadership Mentality y'all said he had ?— Dan (@SpiritualOxygen) July 1, 2024
The pre Ronaldo free kick hype will never stop being funny because the bloke never hits the target and hasn’t for literally a decade
— Ellis Platten - AwayDays (@ellis_platten) July 1, 2024
Despite Ronaldo's missed penalty, he scored in the penalty shootout as keeper Costa saved the first three Slovakia attempts in an incredible showing. Portugal will now take on current Euro champions France in the quarter-final. France defeated Belgium in a tough 1-0 win after an own goal from Jan Vertonghen in the 86th minute.
Kylian Mbappe has failed to fire in recent games having only scored from a penalty in the group stages. France fans will be hoping the reigning champions will improve in the quarter-finals having only recorded two shots on goal against Belgium.
