FRANKFURT — Cristiano Ronaldo broke down in tears on Monday after lacking from the penalty spot in extra-time — but was saved additional heartache as Portugal was scientific in a spot-kick shootout to beat Slovenia in Frankfurt.
The 39-year-old celebrity appeared set to finish Portugal’s affected person watch for a objective when he stepped up with seconds remaining within the first half of extra-time, after issues stayed scoreless throughout regulation.
However, his agency strike was brilliantly saved by goalkeeper Jan Oblak, who dived to his left and parried the ball with one hand, pushing it onto the submit and away to security.
Ronaldo tried to regulate his feelings throughout the interval, but even the consoling hugs of his teammates couldn’t stop him from sobbing as play restarted.
In the tip, although, CRY7 — sorry, could not resist — was essentially the most relieved man within the stadium as Portugal booked its path to a juicy quarterfinal matchup in opposition to France in Hamburg on Friday.
Diogo Costa carried out goalkeeping heroics within the shootout, saving from Josip Ilicic, Jure Balkovec and Benjamin Verbic, but Ronaldo additionally confirmed his true mettle in stepping as much as take Portugal’s first kick, Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva additionally hitting the goal.
There was no mistake this time, Ronaldo powering it into Oblak’s backside nook, then made a coronary heart image to the Portugal followers and gestured an apology for his earlier miss.
Quite an evening, and fairly a approach for Portugal to seal a juicy quarterfinal in opposition to France in Hamburg on Friday.
With two minutes left in regulation, Ronaldo had a golden alternative to seal a spot within the subsequent spherical. Diogo Jota stole the ball on the left wing and slipped it to Ronaldo, who sprinted into the field, but may solely fireplace his angled effort straight at goalkeeper Oblak.
Portugal defeats Slovenia after penalty kicks
Ronaldo had a group of free-kicks in his most popular strike vary, but was unable to make any depend, fizzing an effort simply over Oblak’s bar within the first half, smashing one straight on the keeper’s fists early within the second, and clattering one other in opposition to the defensive wall.
Portugal had impressed in its first two video games, coming from behind to beat Czechia and proving far too imaginative for Turkey.
However, recreation three within the group noticed head coach Roberto Martinez relaxation a number of key gamers — but not Ronaldo — for a defeat to underdog Georgia. While recuperation is good after an extended and grueling membership season, Portugal appeared to seek out it tough to return to its former rhythm, as Slovenia pressed and hassled and stored issues tight.
Cristiano Ronaldo misses penalty kick
Slovenia’s greatest probability got here late in extra-time, when Benjamin Sesko ran away from Portugal defender Pepe, but was denied by the irrepressible Costa.
There was loads of motion all through, but there are not any prizes for guessing what everybody will keep in mind. Ronaldo’s waterworks, and Portugal advancing.
Martin Rogers is a columnist for FOX Sports. Follow him on Twitter @MRogersFOX and subscribe to the daily newsletter.
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