Ronaldo misses penalty as Austria hold Portugal

Cristiano Ronaldo missed a penalty and Portugal settled for a second straight draw at Euro 2016 as their Group F game against Austria finished goalless.

The Real Madrid star stepped up to take the penalty in the 79th minute after Martin Hinteregger hauled him down in the box, but the Real Madrid star struck the post.

Portugal took 23 shots but could find no joy against Austria, who earned their first point following an opening defeat to Hungary.

Austria goalkeeper, Robert Almer was put on notice from the start as he had to tip Ricardo Quaresma’s corner kick over the bar in the second minute.

But Austria soon struck back with a chance of their own when Martin Harnik came within inches of heading in Marcel Sabitzer’s cross.

Portugal started to control the play and only Almer’s heroics kept them out in the 13th minute, first stopping Nani’s shot from the left, then recovering to push aside Vieirinha’s long volleyed effort, before finally gathering the ball from the ensuing corner.

Ronaldo stepped up with his first clear look at goal in the 22nd minute but hooked it wide with the side of his foot in the 22nd minute.

Portugal had another opportunity in the 29th minute as Nani lashed a shot of the near post, and the ball rebounded directly to Joao Moutinho, who blasted over the bar.

On 38 minutes, Quaresma played a through ball to Ronaldo, who stayed onside but could only manage a soft shot directly at Almer.

Austria then came within inches of scoring when Pepe brought down David Alaba at the side of the box, and the Bayern Munich’s man curling free kick was cleared off the line by Vieirinha at the far post with Martin Harnik waiting to tap it in.

And after half-time Austria provided Portugal with another scare as Stefan Ilsanker’s driven shot was pushed aside with a good save from Rui Patricio.

Read also: Euro: Italy in quarterfinal after 1-0 win over Sweden

As Portugal kept up the pressure it was soon Almer’s turn to make a diving save as he dived to his left to deny a curling rocket from Ronaldo that seemed sure to find the net.

Ronaldo had a few more opportunities to score from free kicks, but a 40-yard effort never made it into the box and a 64th-minute shot sailed too high.

All eyes were on Ronaldo on the penalty spot after Hinteregger’s foul, which came as he tried to prevent Ronaldo from reaching a cross near the six-yard box.

But the post denied Ronaldo from becoming the first player to score in four different European Championships, as did the offside flag in the 85th minute after Ronaldo had headed on a free kick into the back of the net.

Hungary lead Group F on four points, with Iceland second with two, ahead of Portugal on goals scored, while Austria are bottom.

If the final group games both finish in draws and Portugal and Iceland finish with the same number of goals scored, they will be ranked according to their fair play record.

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