Ronaldo streak goes pfft; ‘Reds’ rampant
PARIS—Cristiano Ronaldo hit the post with a penalty against Austria as Portugal stumbled to a second draw at Euro 2016 on Saturday, blowing the chance to write himself into history.
Ronaldo was foiled again in his bid to become the first player to score at four consecutive European Championship finals.
He at least set a new national record, making his 128th appearance for Portugal to overtake Luis Figo. But the Real Madrid superstar will have bitter memories of the night after missing the 79thminute spot kick.
The 0-0 draw at Parc des Princes leaves Hungary, which gained a point in a 1-1 draw with Iceland, as the Group F leader. Austria must win its final match to avoid going home.
While it was a frustrating night for Ronaldo, Belgium finally clicked after losing its opener to Italy as it crushed the Republic of Ireland 3-0 in Group E.
Everton striker Romelu Lukaku scored a classy opener and added a second in Bordeaux while Alex Witsel also netted as Belgium finally showed why some observers have tipped the fiery “Red Devils” as outsiders for the title.
Despite being outclassed, Ireland and captain John O’Shea expressed confidence they could still beat group winners Italy on Thursday to reach the last 16.
“With a bit more discipline and control we can get something against Italy,” O’Shea said.
In Paris, Portugal coach Fernando Santos refused to say how Ronaldo was feeling after his bungled effort.
The three-time World Player of the Year Ronaldo was left shaking his head in disbelief as he smacked the ball against the base of the post after he had been fouled by Martin Hinteregger.
Portugal needs to beat Hungary in Stade de Lyon onWednesday to be sure of qualifying.
Hungary, playing in its first international tournament since the 1986 World Cup, needed an own goal from Iceland’s Birkir Savarsson in the dying seconds to rescue a 1-1 draw in Marseille.
The result keeps both teams’ hopes alive of a place in the knockout round.
A first-half penalty by Gylfi Sigurdsson put Iceland on course for its own fairytale win.