As Jan Oblak’s hand deflected Cristiano Ronaldo’s extra-time penalty onto the post, the Portuguese superstar faced a moment of deep despair. At 39 years old, Ronaldo was brought to tears, having just witnessed his hopes for the European Championship seemingly collapse in one cruel instant.
After the missed penalty in a goalless last-16 tie, Ronaldo could only bow his head as his teammates gathered around to console him.
Feeling of relief from Ronaldo (Photo: Ronaldo/Getty Images)
It seemed like his illustrious European Championship career might come to a bitter end at the hands of Slovenia, who were threatening to pull off one of the biggest shocks of the tournament.
Yet, just 15 minutes later, Ronaldo found the strength to step up again, converting his penalty during the shootout. Goalkeeper Diogo Costa made history with three crucial saves in the shootout, helping Portugal avoid a devastating exit and secure a quarter-final spot against France.
Ronaldo’s tears were no longer of sorrow but of joy and relief. Reflecting on the moment, he said, “Even the strongest people have their bad days. I was at rock bottom when the team needed me the most.”
Ronaldo captured the essence of football’s emotional extremes. “Sadness at the start is joy at the end. That’s what football is. Moments, inexplicable moments. I feel sad and happy at the same time,” he explained, his eyes welling up once more.
“But the important thing is to enjoy it. The team did an extraordinary job. We fought right to the end and I think we deserved it because we had more authority.”
Portugal’s resilience and Ronaldo’s redemption marked a dramatic shift from despair to triumph, setting the stage for their next challenge in the tournament.
