Cristiano Ronaldo says after penalty miss: Knew Portugal would progress

Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo was confident that his team would progress despite him missing a penalty in the early stages of the second leg of the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal against Denmark in Lisbon on Sunday.

Ronaldo took an insipid penalty in the fifth minute of the game as Kasper Schmeichel made a save while diving to his left. However, Portugal, who were trailing by 1-0 after the first leg, equalized after Joachim Anderson scored an own goal.

But the visitors were once again able to put themselves in front as Rasmus Kristensen scored in the 72nd minute. However, Ronaldo redeemed himself as he scored after capitalizing on Bruno Fernandes’ attempt at goal, which was half-stopped by Dane’s goalkeeper. 

But there was more twist in the tale as Christian Eriksen scored in the 76th minute however substitute Francisco Trincao equalized for the hosts in the 86th minute to take the game into extra time. Trincao once again scored early in the extra time whereas Goncalo Ramos was able to put the game to bed as he scored in the 115th minute.

“I felt that even after missing the penalty — [it happens] only to those who try — we would progress in the tie,” Ronaldo told reporters.

“That’s what happened. It was a spectacular night, Portugal played very well; scoring five goals against Denmark is not easy at all. We all deserve congratulations: the players, those who were at the stadium, all the Portuguese. We are all in the same boat and it was very important to progress to the final four.”

After Portugal had suffered a 1-0 loss in the first leg, Ronaldo had put his weight behind his teammates to bounce back stronger.

“There are games like that, there are bad days,” Ronaldo, 40, said after that defeat. “I didn’t play at all, the team didn’t play at all, but it’s part of life. I want to leave the [Lisbon’s] Alvalade Stadium with my head held high.”

Portugal will face Germany in the semi-final in June.