Ronaldo misses penalty, Portugal held

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Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo missed a penalty as Portugal were forced to settle for agoalless draw against Austria in their Euro 2016 Group F clash in Paris.

Heading into their Group F encounter Portugal and Austria are playing each other in the finals of a major tournament for the very first time.

Three of the last four meetings between these sides have ended in a 1-1 draw, with neither team has managed to score more than once during this time.

Austria have conceded exactly once against Portugal in each of their last five matches against them.

Portugal got off to a great start at the Parc des Princes winning an early corner, playing it short to Cristiano Ronaldo, who wasted little time in testing Austrian goalkeeper Robert Almer, forcing the keeper into making a finger tip save.

Just a minute later and Austria responded quick as VfB Stuttgart forward Martin Harnik saw his headed effort going narrowly wide from just four yards out, after being set up by Marcel Sabitzer’s inch-perfect cross from the right.

Fenerbahce midfielder Luis Nani should’ve given Portugal the lead in the sixth minute after placing his header over the bar from six yards out.

Seven minutes later and Austrian keeper was forced into making a double save, first denying Nani one-on-one, before tipping Vieirinha’s shot from the edge of the box.

Portugal took control of the game as the Portugal captain missed his side-footed finish from six yards out, after brilliant interplay from Raphael Guerreiro.

Winning their sixth corner of the match Portugal looked the more likely team to take the lead as Nani headed effort hit the Austrian post, before the rebound was thumped over the bar in the 29th minute.

Portugal worked a corner short, before chipping the ball into the box, but after Austria cleared their lines, the ball was then worked back into the danger area, only for Ronaldo’s snap shot to be well saved by Almer.

Four minutes from the half-time break and Austria looked to get back into the match as David Alaba curling free kick towards the far post forced Vieirinha into make a brilliant last-ditch clearance.

Going into the half-time interval the scoreline remained locked at 0-0, with Portugal having 13 attempts at goal while Austria only managed two.

It seemed like Austria coach Marcel Koller had a few words with his players at the interval as they came out with far more intent in the second-half as Stefan Ilsanker tested Rui Patricio from range, forcing the Portugal No.1 into pushing the ball wide of goal in the 46th minute.
Just nine minutes later and Almer was called into action to beat away a fiercely struck effort from Ronaldo.
Ronaldo had yet another chance to give Portugal the lead forcing Almer into making another save from close-range a minute later.
Martin Hinteregger was penalised for pulling back Ronaldo in the box resulting in a Portugal penalty, the Real Madrid star stepped up to take the kick but his well-struck low shot hit the post, before Austria rebounded the ball to safety in the 79th minute with the score locked at 0-0.
With five minutes to play Portugal had the chance to open the scoring in Paris, but had a goal disallowed after Joao Moutinho crossed into the box and met the head of Ronaldo, who’s thumping effort hit the back of the net, only for the linesman’s to flag it for offside.
The Group F match between Portugal and Austria ended goalless in Paris, with Cristiano Ronaldo missing a 79th-minute penalty for Portugal.
As the result stand, Portugal missed the opportunity to go top of Group F, they remain third while Austria stay bottom heading into the final round of fixtures on Wednesday.
Image: Uefa website