âDisbeliefâ: Cristiano Ronaldo breaks down in tears over Euros drama
A shattered Cristiano Ronaldo has left the football world lost for words after a rare breakdown as high drama unfolded.
Cristiano Ronaldoâs Euros campaign is still alive despite an emotional breakdown during Portugalâs wild win over Slovenia on Tuesday morning.
The superstar was in floods of tears after missing an extra-time penalty shot to win his team the game before the Round of 16 match went to a penalty shootout.
His mum Maria Dolores dos Santos Aveiro was also spotted distraught in the stands after Sloveniaâs superstar goalkeeper Jan Oblak brilliantly stopped Ronaldoâs spot-kick, keeping the scores at 0-0 before the full time whistle.
After scoring his previous 29 penalties, Ronaldo was visibly stunned to see Oblak keep out his shot and held his head in disbelief.
Seconds later the whistle went for half-time in extra-time and that was the signal for Ronaldo to start openly weeping as he stood in a huddle of Portugal players.
Consoled by teammate Joao Palhinha, Ronaldo was able to wipe away his tears and continue playing when the match resumed.
You can watch the dramatic moment in the video above
Cristiano Ronaldo was shattered. Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images.
Jan Oblak makes a brilliant save. Photo by Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP.
Portugal fans sang âViva Ronaldoâ after his emotional outburst was shown on the big screen in the Frankfurt Arena.
Former Manchester United and Real Madrid star Ronaldo has now failed to score three of the nine penalties he has taken at major international tournaments.
He is also yet to score at this yearâs Euros despite being the record goal scorer in the history of the competition with 14 goals, five ahead of the second best scorer.
In the end Oblakâs heroics couldnât stop his team from being eliminated.
Slovenia was beaten 3-0 in the penalty shootout, while Portugal now advances to the quarter-finals.
Cristiano Ronaldo was shattered Photo by Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP.
Bernardo Silva scored the winning spot-kick after Diogo Costa saved Sloveniaâs first three penalties in the shoot-out with Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes and Silva converting all of Portugalâs efforts.
Ronado had his golden chance to end it all before it headed to penalties after the 39-year-old was handed the ball following a controversial penalty that was awarded to Diogo Jota for a foul in the box in the 115th minute.
Ronaldo thundered his shot into the bottom right corner, but Oblak moved with lightning speed to block the kick.
Cristiano Ronaldo could not believe it. Photo by PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA / AFP.
BBC commentator Alistair Bruce-Ball said: âThatâs tears for Portugal Iâm sure rather than tears for himself. He must be in disbelief that has been savedâ.
His ability to compose himself and slot his next penalty during the penalty shootout was also widely praised.
English legend Alan Shearer said on the BBC: âItâs hard enough going up to take a penalty anyway, but taking one in that situation when youâve just missed a penalty at such a crucial time… unbelievableâ.
Ronaldo was still emotional after his team progressed.
âSadness at the start is joy at the end. Thatâs what football is. Moments, inexplicable moments,â he said.
âA direct shot to give the team the lead. I didnât manage it. [Jan] Oblak made a good save… I have to see the penalty, I donât know if I shot well or badly, but I havenât missed once all year, and when I needed it most, Oblak saved it.
