- Ronaldo has gone nine tournament matches without a goal for Portugal
- The veteran forward missed a golden chance to score during extra time
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Cristiano Ronaldo has been slammed for having ‘no impact’ for Portugal after missing a golden chance in their Euro 2024 quarter-final defeat to France.
The 39-year-old failed to scored a major tournament for Portugal for the first time as they bowed out, having passed up the ideal chance to break his duck in the first half of extra time.
Substitute Francisco Conceicao broke behind the French defence and produced a cut back to Ronaldo by the six-yard box.
Ronaldo appeared poised to give Portugal the lead in a tense quarter-final, but instead leaned back and blazed the ball over the crossbar.
Speaking on the BBC, co-commentator Danny Murphy questioned Ronaldo’s role in Portugal’s team after the miss.
Murphy insisted Portugal striker Goncalo Ramos would likely be questioning his status, as he remained on the bench with Ronaldo offering little to the team
‘I’d be having conversations with the manager,’ Murphy said.
‘It does seem ridiculous at times that he keeps Ronaldo on when he is having no impact.
‘He kind of must be thinking, what was he brought here for?’
Chris Sutton, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, was more sympathetic to a ‘fatigued’ Ronaldo after the missed chance.
Sutton had suggested the cross to Ronaldo should have been better.
‘I don’t think the ball is good from Francisco Conceicao, he pops it round Theo Hernandez and pulls the ball back.
‘Cristiano Ronaldo is a bit fatigued and it’s a bit behind him.’
The quarter-final was ultimately decided via a penalty shoot-out after a goalless draw through 120 minutes.
Ronaldo scored from the spot but Joao Felix’s miss proved key as Portugal were beaten 5-3 on penalties.
The forward had admitted the tournament was his final European Championships, with Euro 2024 marking the first time he had failed to score at a major tournament.