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Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo failed to score in the group stages of UEFA Euro 2024. It's the first time in his career where he's drawn a blank in the first round of a major international tournament.
Having gone scoreless in their previous two group matches against the Czech Republic and Turkey, Ronaldo was given another chance to open his account by Roberto Martinez.
Even though the Selecao had already booked their place in the last-16 as Group F winners, the 39-year-old retained his place in their starting lineup and was widely expected to score against the debutants.
However, in 66 minutes of action, Ronaldo mustered just one shot on target and completed only seven passes as Portugal fell to a stunning 2-0 loss.
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This was the first time in his international career that Ronaldo failed to score in the group stages of a major tournament. At the Euros, he had struck at least once in the first round of every edition since 2004, until his duck this time around. In the World Cups, all eight of his strikes have come in the group stages.
His form at the Euro 2024 is in stark contrast to his 50-goal campaign with Al-Nassr in 2023-24, as Ronaldo displayed remarkable longevity.
So far, he's been unable to carry that form onto the international stage, but the former Real Madrid ace's output will be needed in the knockout stages as Portugal face a tough path ahead.
Portugal face Slovenia in the Euro 2024 last-16
Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal will face Slovenia in the Round of 16 of the UEFA Euro 2024 next week. This will be their first clash at a major tournament, and just the second official meeting between them.
In their first, which came as recently as March this year, Slovenia sprung a real surprise as they beat the mighty Selecao 2-0 in a friendly. Ronaldo played the entirety of the game, but was shut out by Slovenia's stoic backline.
Roberto Martinez's side will be wary of a repeat of the result when they resume their rivalry in Frankfurt on July 1. If Portugal beat Slovenia, then a tough fixture against either France or Belgium awaits them in the last-eight.
