Bruno Fernandes appears to celebrate before Cristiano Ronaldo’s penalty against Denmark… only for the 40-year-old to see his shocking effort saved
Bruno Fernandes appeared to celebrate before Cristiano Ronaldo had taken his penalty in Portugal’s Nations League clash with Denmark.
The 40-year-old was handed the chance to give his side the lead on the night – after they had suffered a 1-0 loss in the first leg last week – when he was felled just five minutes into the tie.
The usually reliable Ronaldo stepped up and looked certain to add to his record 135 international goals. Despite his advancing years, confidence in the Portugal talisman remains high and this was evident in the actions of Fernandes, who appeared to celebrate a successful spot kick before the Al-Nassr striker had even touched the ball.
Unfortunately for the Man United star, his compatriot fluffed his lines but he was spared the bulk of the ridicule because the remarkable nature of Ronaldo’s attempt.
The striker uncharacteristically rolled the ball into the arms of a grateful Kasper Schmeichel who barely needed to take a step to his left to trap it. Ronaldo did, though, later score in the 5-2 win.
Ronaldo’s blunder came hours after he lashed out at reporters for asking ‘disrespectful’ questions over his future with the national team.
Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes appeared to celebrate Cristiano Ronaldo’s penalty before he had taken it
The Al Nassr striker went on to produce a shocking effort that was easily saved by Kasper Schmeichel
Ronaldo was looking to add to his record 135 goals at international level in the Nations League quarter-final play-off second leg
The miss came just hours after the 40-year-old snapped at a journalist for asking if he is still capable of completing a full match at the international level
Fans took to social media to react to Ronaldo’s uncharacteristic miss from the penalty spot
‘Honestly, some of the questions you’ve asked were just disrespectful. If you want answers from me, look me in the eyes when you ask,’ Ronaldo told reporters after he was asked if he is still capable of completing a full match at the international level.
Ronaldo, who did eventually get his name on the scoresheet in a rip-roaring encounter, came under some intense heat from the press for his performance in last week’s first leg against Denmark.
And, after his penalty miss on Sunday, fans once again questioned whether football’s all-time top goalscorer still has enough gas in the tank to hack it at the top level.
One fan wrote on X: ‘That’s one of the worst penalty kicks I’ve ever seen from Cristiano Ronaldo.’
Another wrote: ‘RETIRE OLD MAN THIS IS IT. THAT’S THE WORST PENALTY I HAVE EVER SEEN FROM A FOOTBALLER.’ A third asked: ‘What’s wrong with Ronaldo?’
Portugal have endured a tough year under Roberto Martinez after being knocked out of Euro 2024 at the quarter-final stage.
Ronaldo did not manage a single goal at the tournament and questions have been asked over his position in the side ever since.
Despite the heavy scrutiny towards Ronaldo of late, he remains the joint-fourth top scorer in this rendition of the Nations League, with five goals.
Victory for Portugal in the competition would see Ronaldo lift the third piece of silverware with his national team, having won Euro 2016 and the Nations League in its inaugural showing in 2019.
