How Cristiano Ronaldo’s bid to win Euro 2024 with Portugal ended in penalty shootout heartbreak

Cristiano Ronaldo’s bid to win the European Championship title in his last appearance at the continental showpiece tournament is over! The 39-year-old Ronaldo has said this was his record sixth and last European Championship.

The Portuguese talisman and his side were sent home by France via a dramatic penalty shootout early on Saturday where France prevailed 5-3. In the shootout, while all of France’s spot-kick takers converted their attempts, Joao Felix missed his kick, slamming his shot against the upright.

Portugal crashed out of the quarter-final of the Euro 2024 after Kylian Mbappe-led France defeated them via penalty shootout. This is Ronaldo’s last European Championship. Both teams were deadlocked 0-0 at full-time in the quarterfinal at the Volksparkstadion in Hamburg. France thus booked a semi-final showdown against Spain, who sent hosts Germany out of the tournament.

The game between France and Portugal was a rematch of the Euro 2016 final. This game was also coming on the 18th anniversary of another pivotal clash between the sides: a game at the 2006 FIFA World Cup when Zinedine Zidane smashed the winner through a penalty in the semifinals.

Portugal and France were touted as pre-tournament favourites this time but have failed to light up the event thus far. After two wins in their first two matches, Portugal could not score in their last two outings against Georgia and Slovenia.

Ronaldo had told Portuguese public broadcaster RTP on Monday that this was going to be his last European Championship.

“It is, without doubt, my last European Championship. But I’m not emotional about that. I’m moved by all that football means — by the enthusiasm I have for the game, the enthusiasm for seeing my supporters, my family, the affection people have for me,” Ronaldo said after Portugal defeated Slovenia to make it to the quarterfinal after a 3-0 win on penalties.

Ronaldo had led his team to the Euros title in 2016 — when Portugal had, in fact, beaten France in the final.