Fan footage from Portugal’s dramatic last-16 win over Slovenia has emerged showing how Ruben Dias reacted when Cristiano Ronaldo missed his penalty. Ronaldo was reduced to tears on Monday night after his 105th-minute spot-kick was expertly saved by Jan Oblak. The 39-year-old forward, who is often so reliable from 12 yards, was visibly devastated by the turn of events in Frankfurt as Roberto Martinez’s side pushed for a winner......See Full Story>>.....See Full Story>>
“He’s an emotional guy obviously,” said former Portugal teammate Jose Fonte in the BBC studio. “He feels the game. He wants to score more than anything else and obviously that will hurt him for sure.”
When the whistle blew to end the first-half of extra-time, a group of Portugal players surrounded an emotional Ronaldo, including Diogo Dalot, who was one of the first to offer his support.
But new footage shows Manchester City defender Ruben Dias was the only player to console Ronaldo, immediately after he missed from the spot.
In fact, as you see from the footage below, the 27-year-old ran the length of the pitch to try and encourage his teammate.
Ronaldo, who had scored his last 24 penalties in all competitions before that moment, would later convert from the spot as three penalty saves from Portugal keeper Diogo Costa sealed their place in the quarters.
When asked how he was feeling at full-time, the former Real Madrid forward said: “Sadness at the start is joy at the end. That’s what football is. Moments, inexplicable moments.”
He then reflected on his penalty, saying: “A direct shot to give the team the lead. I didn’t manage it. Oblak made a good save.
“I have to see the penalty, I don’t know if I shot well or badly, but I haven’t missed once all year, and when I needed it most, Oblak saved it.
“I think Portugal deserved it because we had more authority. Slovenia spent almost the entire game defending… it’s very difficult and the whole team is to be congratulated, especially our goalkeeper who made three very good saves.”
Ahead of this summer’s European Championship, Ruben Dias described Ronaldo as an inspiration.
“I would say he represents inspiration, he represents that anything is possible, he represents all that you can dream, and achieve it,” he said.
“Mainly I would like to say it’s a pleasure to have him with us. More than all these little things or big things, him being with us in this moment of his career represents that he wants to win again.
“He’s our captain and obviously we follow him to the end.”