Author:
PBPatricia Bell
Barely 30 seconds into the second half against Georgia, Portugal earned a corner kick after a Francisco Conceição shot was deflected.
The set piece navigated past five Georgian defenders and found Cristiano Ronaldo perfectly positioned to score from close range.
However, Ronaldo missed what seemed like an easy goal by his standards, and his shot was deflected over the bar.
This missed chance was one of 12 shots on target that Ronaldo had missed in Euro 2024, including an earlier free-kick from his preferred left wing.
By finishing the group stage with zero goals, the Portuguese legend created unwanted history in what could be the final chapter of his career.
For the first time in his career, Cristiano Ronaldo has failed to score in the group stage of a major international tournament.
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) June 26, 2024
Euro 2004 ✅
World Cup 2006 ✅
Euro 2008 ✅
World Cup 2010 ✅
Euro 2012 ✅
World Cup 2014 ✅
Euro 2016 ✅
World Cup 2018 ✅
Euro 2020 ✅
World Cup… pic.twitter.com/NiZqJmh9uW
Ronaldo's frustrations grew when he received a yellow card for arguing with the referee, feeling that Georgian center-back Luka Lochoshvili had grabbed his shirt in the 18-yard box.
By the 67th minute, Portugal coach Roberto Martinez decided to sub Ronaldo out for Gonçalo Ramos.
The decision visibly upset Ronaldo, who was seen kicking a water bottle near the dugout after the substitution.
Martinez's choice was partly influenced by the fact that Portugal had already secured advancement to the Round of 16 following their victories over Turkey and Czechia, making the outcome of Wednesday's match insignificant.
Despite this, Portugal's shocking 2-0 loss to Georgia — the most significant upset in Euros history by FIFA rankings — marked the country's first competitive defeat since the 2022 World Cup quarterfinal loss to Morocco and was also coach Martinez's first significant loss with A Selecao.
Ronaldo will look to score his first Euro 2024 goal when Portugal faces Slovenia in the Round of 16 on Monday.
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