Euro 2024: Ronaldo in tears after missed penalty shoot-out against Slovenia, Portugal still emerge victorious

In a dramatic turn of events at Euro 2024, Cristiano Ronaldo experienced a whirlwind of emotions that encapsulated the essence of football’s highs and lows. Portugal emerged victorious against Slovenia in a gripping penalty shoot-out, but not without a heart-wrenching journey for their talismanic captain.

The match reached a stalemate after regular time and went into extra-time, where Ronaldo faced a pivotal moment. Late in the first period of extra-time, he had the chance to break the deadlock with a penalty kick. Yet, Jan Oblak, Slovenia’s steadfast goalkeeper, denied Ronaldo's strike, ending his flawless streak of 29 consecutive penalties converted.

The miss took a heavy toll on Ronaldo, who stood devastated, head in hands, amidst his teammates during the break. Tears streamed down his face, visible to fans in the Frankfurt Arena and broadcast across the globe. It was a rare glimpse of vulnerability from the footballing legend.

However, Ronaldo’s resilience shone through as he composed himself for the subsequent penalty shoot-out. Demonstrating mental fortitude, he confidently struck the opening penalty into the net, setting Portugal on course for victory. This marked a poignant turnaround from his earlier anguish, as he acknowledged the supporters with a gesture of apology.