Euro 2016: Ronaldo misses penalty, Portugal held by Austria

19 June 2016, 12:00AM

Cristiano Ronaldo experienced a night to forget on his record 128th Portugal appearance Saturday, missing a late penalty in a 0-0 draw against Austria that left his team winless after two matches at the European Championship.

As goalkeeper Robert Almer dived to his left, Ronaldo struck the spotkick in the opposite direction but it crashed against the post in the 79th minute.

Ronaldo then thought he had netted his 59th Portugal goal about five minutes later, but it was ruled out for offside.

It summed up a frustrating night at the Parc des Princes for the Portugal captain, who is still waiting to score in a record fourth European Championship.

If his team struggles again in its final Group F game against Hungary, Portugal could be going home early after also drawing its opening game against Iceland. Austria is off the mark after opening with a loss to Hungary.

There was a brief security scare after the final whistle when a fan rushed onto the field to approach Ronaldo. A steward intervened, but Ronaldo allowed the fan to pose for a selfie.

Ronaldo won't want any pictures to remember this game. It was a landmark match but not a memorable one for the Real Madrid forward.

It was all Portugal but all frustration.

Austria goalkeeper Robert Almer was the initial barrier, blocking Nani's shot and tipping Vieirinha's effort wide in quick succession.

After belittling Iceland's modest ambitions after last week's draw, Ronaldo wasn't living up to his own high standards.

Nani's interplay with Raphael Guerreiro on the left flank led to the ball being squared invitingly to Ronaldo but he sent the shot wide in the 28th.

Ronaldo clasped his hands and looked up to the skies. The anguish was etched on his face and was there again 10 minutes later. Presented with another opening by Ricardo Quaresma, Ronaldo shot straight at Almer.

It was a strong performance by Almer, who turned Joao Moutinho's shot over after Nani header's came off the post before the break.

The second half opened with Portugal goalkeeper Rui Patricio called into action for the first time, turning Stefan Ilsanker's shot away.

But Ronaldo couldn't beat Patricio's opposite number. Two free kicks hit the Austrian defensive wall — making it 36 such tournament set pieces Ronaldo has failed to score from — and a header was saved.

Even when Ronaldo was hauled down in the penalty area by Martin Hinteregger, Ronaldo couldn't seize the opening as his spotkick struck the post.

-AP

19 June 2016, 12:00AM
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