Euro 2016: Ronaldo misses penalty, Portugal held by Austria

Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo gestures to the supporters at the end of the Euro 2016 Group F soccer match between Portugal and Austria at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, France, Saturday, June 18, 2016.

Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, winning a record 128th cap, missed a penalty and had a late headed effort disallowed for offside as they were held 0-0 by Austria at Euro 2016 on Saturday for their second straight draw.

Portugal had a total of 23 chances in the game, including Ronaldo’s failed spotkick which hit the post, but couldn’t find a way past a stubborn Austrian rearguard nor the inspired goalkeeper behind it, David Almer.

Ronaldo then thought he had made amends in the 85th minute by grabbing the victor with a header but it was ruled out for offside.

Portugal’s next opponent, Hungary, tops Group F with four points, followed by Iceland and Portugal on two points each. A steward intervened, but Ronaldo allowed the fan to pose for a selfie.

As the clock ticks down on Ronaldo’s time in the famous deep red of Portugal, this factor appears to bring a bristling prickliness closer to the surface than it ever is on his rare forgettable nights for Real Madrid.

After that, it was all Portugal – but all frustration. The 31-year-old missed two great chances in the first half, but forced two good saves from the goalkeeper at the start of the second stanza to signal a potential turnaround.

After belittling Iceland’s modest ambitions after last week’s draw, Ronaldo wasn’t living up to his own high standards.

Ronaldo seemed certain to score after a slick move involving Nani and Raphael Guerriero but he remarkably sidefooted wide.

On 38 minutes, Quaresma played a through ball to Ronaldo, who stayed onside but could only manage a soft shot directly at Almer. Captain Cristiano Ronaldo’s 79th minute penalty struck the post, while Nani’s first-half header also hit the woodwork. A second attempt before half-time lacked the power to beat the impressive Robert Almer in the Austrian goal but, undeterred, Ronaldo continued to seek a path to goal the way a bloodhound tries to sniff out a fox.

The penalty was awarded after defender Martin Hinteregger wrestled Ronaldo to the ground to stop him from reaching a cross.

But the smallest nation to ever appear at a major worldwide tournament were unable to cling on for the win, with Saevarsson forced to lunge in on his own line and unintentionally turn the ball home.

Austria take on Iceland in their final group game knowing a win should be enough to take them through to the last-16 and Hinteregger is optimistic of securing a knockout berth.

Referee Sergey Karasev pointed to the spot and Gylfi Sigurdsson stepped up and sent Kiraly the wrong way to put Iceland in front. Iceland has two points and next plays Austria.

Just as Iceland was ready to celebrate what would have been their first win in a major tournament and with their iconic stalwart Eidur Gudjohnsen on as a late substitute, their resistance finally cracked.

Sometimes you just have one of those days.

Belgium 3, Ireland 0: Romelu Lukaku scored twice to help Belgium bounce back from its opening defeat at the European Championship, with a victory against Ireland.