In the last game of the first round of the European Championship group on June 18, Beijing time, Portugal narrowly defeated the Czech Republic 2-1, and Ronaldo failed to score but set five epic records. This is Ronaldo's sixth European Championship finals with the team, and at the age of 39 years and 4 months, he is the second oldest player in the tournament, second only to teammate Pepe's 41 years and 3 months. Cristiano Ronaldo has scored in his previous five appearances, especially in the last tournament, setting a personal record for the most goals scored in a single cup competition.
From 2004 to 2024, Ronaldo has participated in 6 consecutive competitions in 20 years, creating a legendary story in the history of the European Championship. In 2004, Cristiano Ronaldo contributed 2 goals and 2 assists in 6 games with the attitude of a newborn calf who is not afraid of tigers, although Portugal lost in the final in the end, but a superstar is quietly rising. In 2008, Ronaldo, who was gradually maturing, scored 1 goal and 3 assists in 3 games, but unfortunately stopped in the quarterfinals. In 2012. Cristiano Ronaldo's form has improved to the next level, scoring three goals in five games, but he has reached the semi-finals. In 2016, this was undoubtedly the highlight of Ronaldo's European Championship career, with three goals and three assists in seven games, leading Portugal to the top of Europe. In 2020, even if the years were unforgiving, Ronaldo still handed in an astonishing record of 5 goals and 1 assist in 4 games, although Portugal did not go far in the end.
In the first game of this European Cup, Ronaldo once again started as captain. At the beginning of the game, Portugal formed a high-intensity offensive pressure in the frontcourt, and Ronaldo, Leao and B Fei frequently created threats. In the 8th minute, Leao made a precise cross from the left, and Ronaldo quickly stepped forward, but unfortunately the header was deflected. In the middle of the half, B Fei scalpel tore the gap in the defensive line, and Ronaldo ran back to form a single knife, but the final shot was blocked by the goalkeeper. In the 45th minute, Ronaldo took the ball in the penalty area and turned around and shot hard and was saved.
In the second half, Cristiano Ronaldo's header from Dias's cross was blocked, and then Ronaldo's free-kick was caught by the goalkeeper. In the 62nd minute, Prowood broke the deadlock for the Czech Republic from outside the box. Mendes' header in the 69th minute caused chaos for the Czechs, and Hranak inadvertently scored an own goal to give Portugal an equaliser. Cristiano Ronaldo's header hit the post in the 88th minute. In the final stage, Portugal continued to make substitutions and adjustments to continue the strong attack, and in the 90+2 minute, Neto crossed from the left, Hranak made a mistake in clearing, and Conceição Jr. seized the opportunity to hit a fatal blow, 2-1, Portugal completed the Jedi counterattack. Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with a fist at Czech goalkeeper Steniek.
At the final whistle, Cristiano Ronaldo and Conceição Jr. embraced passionately, and the new and old generations of Portugal achieved a perfect inheritance at this moment. Ronaldo did not score directly in this game, 5 shots on goal, 3 shots on target, 1 key pass, and his activity at key moments all reflect his important role as the spiritual pillar of the team.
Cristiano Ronaldo's legendary status in the history of the European Championship continues to rise. In this game, he broke five European Championship records in a row:
First, he played in the European Championship 6 times, the first person in history.
Second, 25 participations, the first person in history.
Thirdly, 17 appearances as captain in the European Cup, the first person in history.
Fourth, 13 European Cup wins, the first person in history.
Fifth, 43 key passes, surpassing Figo to become the first man in history.