Euro 2016: C’ Ronaldo Has Now Missed Four of His Last Five Penalty Kicks As Portugal Draws Austria

Cristiano Ronaldo eclipsed Luis Figo's record as Portugal's most capped player of all time, but he squandered a glorious chance from the penalty spot to kick-start his country's Euro 2016 campaign against Austria.

Ronaldo's 78th-minute penalty miss - his fourth in five attempts - completed a miserable evening for the star at the Parc des Princes, with Fernando Santos' side yet to record a victory after two games at the tournament.

The Real Madrid talisman made his 128th appearance for Portugal to overtake Figo's record, but he had very little else to celebrate in Paris as he missed several chances to all but secure his country's passage into the last 16.

Ronaldo was the hero for Real Madrid as he scored the winning penalty during the Champions League final triumph over Atletico in May, but he took to social media after his failure to replicate the feat for his country to express his disappointment.

He posted to his 43.2 million Twitter followers: 'Sad with the result but I know we are all in this together to turn things around.'

The former Manchester United forward side-footed wide in the first-half before seeing countless headers saved by Robert Almer and speculative set pieces crash into the Austrian wall.

Ronaldo has now taken 36 free-kicks for Portugal at major tournaments without finding the net, and after seeing a late goal ruled out for offside, he has now had 20 attempts on goal in two games without getting off the mark - more than nine nations at the finals.

Few other candidates looked likely to break the deadlock on Saturday night, but the stage was once more set for Ronaldo to steal yet another late victory at the tournament when he was wrestled to the ground by Martin Hinteregger after 78 minutes.

With all four of the previous penalties in France converted, Ronaldo inexplicably struck his spot-kick against the post with Almer beaten, meaning his wait to become the first player to score in four European Championship finals goes on.

Ronaldo trudged off the pitch no doubt cursing his bad luck and contemplating what to say this time in his post-match interviews after launching an attack on Iceland's 'small mentality' following the draw in Saint Etienne.

But despite his travails, his star hasn't fallen.
As he made his way towards the tunnel, he was confronted by a supporter who had managed to pass security on his way onto the pitch.

A disconsolate Ronaldo instructed the stewards to allow the fan to take a selfie, but the player could barely raise a smile following another frustrating night in front of goal.

Cries of 'Messi, Messi' rung out from sections of the crowd clearly revelling in Ronaldo's misfortune, but such is the nature of the European Championship finals' new format, the 31-year-old will have another chance to shine in France.

Hungary's failure to beat Iceland means that any side can still finish top of Group F, but defeat in the final match would mean an early exit for Portugal, and Ronaldo, from the competition.