From shedding tears at “rock bottom” to penalty shoot-out redemption and a place in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals, the script is never dull when Cristiano Ronaldo is on the big stage.
The 39-year-old had endured a frustrating match against Slovenia as his search for a first goal in this year's tournament in Germany continued, missing a glorious chance at the end of normal time to break the deadlock at 0-0.
But Ronaldo's big scene seemingly arrived in extra-time, when Portugal were awarded a penalty after a foul on Diogo Jota, only for the Al Nassr attacker to fluff his lines as goalkeeper Jan Oblak tipped his effort on to the post and the moment was gone.
The Al Nassr attacker was visibly stunned and that shock turned into tears when the whistle went for half-time in extra-time as Ronaldo wept openly, consoled by teammates and Portugal supporters who sang his name after his reaction was shown on the big screen in the Frankfurt Arena.
But the dramatic finale was still to come. Extra-time finished goalless, it was shoot-out time and Ronaldo – composure now recovered – was first up. Same end, different result as the ball is sent to the opposite corner putting Portugal on the way to a 3-0 spot-kick victory with Diogo Costa saving all three Slovenia penalties.
“Even the strongest people have their [bad] days,” said Ronaldo, who is looking to win his second European Championship crown after lifting the trophy back in 2016.
“I was at rock bottom when the team needed me most. I was sad at first but now I’m happy. That’s what football is. Moments, inexplicable moments.”
Asked about what he was feeling during the match, Ronaldo replied: “When I think of my family, I feel emotional because they are unique moments that I cannot express in words.
“They are people I love, the fans who are always with us and especially with me, and I am very happy about that.
“I hadn’t missed a penalty kick all year. At this moment I missed it, but the most important thing is that the team won.
“I lost twice on penalties this season and won the third time. Sometimes football is fair and sometimes just, but we deserved to qualify.
“I will always give my best for this shirt, whether I fail or not, but you have to take responsibility when the team has to.”
Next up for Ronaldo will be France, the team Portugal defeated to win their first major title in 2016. That match in Paris had a familiar ring to it: Ronaldo – then a mere whippersnapper at 31 years of age – in tears during the game before Portugal went on to win.
On that occasion, Ronaldo – then at the peak of his powers at Real Madrid – had been carried off after injuring his knee in the first-half despite two attempts to play on through his obvious pain.
He then proceeded to urge on his teammates from the sidelines, offering more tactical advice and encouragement than manager Fernando Santos as the knife-edge game wore on.
An extra-time goal from Eder proved the match-winner at Stade de France, more tears followed but Ronaldo had finally secured a major honour with his country.
“Cristiano Ronaldo is an amazing example,” said Santos after the match. “Today he tried to remain on the pitch. He was very strong in the locker room, he helped all of the boys, that's the definition of teamwork.”
Standing in his way of yet another remarkable chapter in the most storied of careers will be the man who has taken over Ronaldo's mantle – shared for so long with old foe Lionel Messi – as the world's best player and is, ironically, joining Real Madrid this summer.
Turkey 0 Portugal 3 – player ratings
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TURKEY RATINGS. Let in three and played his part in horrible mix up for second goal. Reuters -
One first-half cross should have led to the opener. Fell asleep and played Ronaldo onside in prelude to goal number three. Booked for dissent. AFP -
Will have nightmares about the no look back-pass that gifted Portugal a 2-0 lead. Harshly booked but needs to stay on his feet more. A bit of a disaster all round. Getty Images -
Never convinced. Too quick to go to ground. Dived in recklessly as Ronalso set up the third. Booked. Getty Images -
The only member of Turkey's back four not to be booked. Had a difficult game but kept going. AP -
Got on the ball and a couple of decent passes early on as Turkey looked to break at pace. Disappeared as Portugal took over. EPA -
One glorious switch of play led to great chance for Akturkoglu in early going but struggled to impact game and set-piece deliveries were below his usual high standard. EPA -
Missed big chance early in game. Tested Costa after wriggling free in a rare Turkey attack. Withdrawn on the hour. EPA -
Deflected the ball into Silva's path for opening goal. Hooked at half-time. Getty Images -
Lively enough in the opening exchanges but anonymous after that. Failed to track Mendes in build-up to opener. Replaced by Guler with 20 minutes remaining. Getty Images -
Starved of service and completely ineffective. AFP -
TURKEY SUBS. (On for Kokcu, 45'): Tried to add energy but was parachuted into a losing effort. EPA -
(On for Akturkoglu, 58'): Precious little chance to show quality with team sliding towards heavy defeat. EPA -
(On for Ayhan, 58'): Pitched into hopelessly overmatched Turkish midfield. Getty Images -
(On Akgun, 70'): Not fit to start and will need to be if Turkey are to bounce back from this. Getty Images -
(On for Akaydin, 75'): Solid enough and will surely get a start now after the performances of the starting centre-backs. Reuters -
PORTUGAL RATINGS. Portugal had only kept one clean sheet in last six, yet Roberto Martinez’s side were barely troubled as they went through as group winners. AFP -
Beaten at the far post as Turkey almost went ahead after six minutes, then ran forward and misplaced a pass for Ronaldo. He was saved as the Turkish defender Akaydin turned it into his own net for the second goal. AP -
The 41-year-old used all his experience in his fifth Euros to make brilliantly timed challenges and interceptions against players half his age. Still reads the game so well. Received an ovation, even from the vast Turkish following, as he left the field. AP -
Faultless on the floor and in the air, he had more touches – by a distance – than any other player. Reuters -
Left-back got forward from deep to cross for the opening goal in a move which undid Turkey. Created a vast space for his teammates to exploit. EPA -
Central midfielder is an important player for Portugal, he used his height to head away early Turkish pressure. Booked. Reuters -
Right-sided midfielder who surged forward to support the attack for the first goal. A smooth game for a smooth team who are among the favourites. Getty Images -
Started on left but came central. Got the second by staying onside as Portugal were gifted another goal. AFP -
Put Portugal ahead, a left-foot finish from a cross. In doing so he became the first Man City player to score against a Man United goalkeeper (Bayindir) in a major tournament. Tried to reverse an 89th minute shot into the goal for a fourth when a pass would have been better. Helped control the game and always hits the target. AFP -
Miscommunication in an attack – but not as bad as for the Turkish players as it went in. Shot over on 36 minutes as Portugal easily beat Turkey’s press. Playing in his sixth Euros, he stayed onside and unselfishly set up Fernandes for the third. Reuters -
Yellow card – accurate but disputed by his coach - means he’ll miss the next game against Georgia. Both yellows were for diving. Such is Portugal’s depth, his loss will be covered. EPA -
PORTUGAL SUBS. (On for Leao, 46'): On for the booked Leao at half time. Valuable minutes for the first of the five subs in one of the strongest squads. EPA -
(On for Palhinha, 45'): On for the cautioned Palhinha at the break. Lovely feet. Reuters -
(On for Cancelo, 68'): Helped retain the calm. EPA -
(On for Pepe, 83'): Gave Pepe a late breather. EPA -
(On for Vitinha, 88'): On for closing stages, the 19-year-old central midfielder is tipped to be a breakout star in Euro 2024. Reuters
France captain Kylian Mbappe, like Ronaldo, has not enjoyed the best of tournaments. A badly broken nose picked up during Les Bleus' opening game means the 25 year old will be wearing a protective mask when the two teams clash in Hamburg on Friday.
Mbappe has managed just one goal in Germany, a penalty in the group-stage draw against Poland, and is struggling with his peripheral vision due to the mask which he describes wearing as “an absolute horror”. In Monday's last-16 win over Belgium, the 2018 World Cup winner failed to hit the target in five attempts on goal.
The stage is now set for a fantastic Friday quarter-final double-header with hosts Germany taking on an exciting Spanish team – with their own array of attacking talents led by 16-year-old Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams, 21 – in the early game.
But for now, it is an old-timer hogging the spotlight. “I have never been afraid to face things head on,” said Ronaldo, who recently set a new goalscoring record in the Saudi Pro League side for Nassr. “Sometimes I do things right, sometimes I don’t, but giving up is something you will never hear from me.”
