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'Sad' Cristiano Ronaldo urges Portugal to keep faith at Euro 2016

Cristiano Ronaldo admitted he was 'sad' about not scoring against Austria on Saturday
Image: Cristiano Ronaldo admitted he was 'sad' about not scoring against Austria on Saturday

Cristiano Ronaldo admitted he was "sad" after his penalty miss on Saturday but says Portugal must still believe in their Euro 2016 dream.

Portugal were held to a goalless stalemate by Austria at the Parc des Princes in Paris - a second consecutive draw after their Group F opener against Iceland - but Ronaldo is remaining optimistic ahead of Wednesday evening's crunch clash against Hungary in Lyon.

Ronaldo, making his 128th appearance for Portugal - a national record - had been hoping the Austria game would see him become the first player to score at four consecutive European Championship finals.

However, the 31-year-old missed his chance after his penalty shot in the 79th minute came back off the post.

"Obviously it was a goal to be the most capped international player, and also to be the national team's top scorer," Ronaldo said.

Ronaldo's worst penalty season
Ronaldo's worst penalty season

Cristiano Ronaldo is experiencing the worst penalty-taking season of his career. Check the stats...

"But I'm a bit sad, because this wasn't the way I wanted to break this record. The most beautiful way would have been...," he added, shaking his head.

"It wasn't something we wanted," he said of the result. "We had a lot of chances and we did well, but we weren't able to finish.

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PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 18: Robert Almer of Austria attempts to save as Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal hits the post from the penalty spot during the UEFA EURO
Image: Ronaldo missed a penalty in the 79th minute

"I also missed some chances - a penalty and some other chances. But that's part of football. We need to continue to believe."

The Real Madrid star is, nonetheless, remaining optimistic about Portugal's chances of progressing further into the competition.

"The players, we need to think that it's still possible," he added. "If we win (against Hungary), we qualify. And also the Portuguese people, the fans who love Portugal, they also have to believe in it.

The Real Madrid star made one fan very happy by posing for a selfie with him, before he was dragged away by security
Image: The Real Madrid star made one fan very happy by posing for a selfie with him, before the supporter was dragged away by security

"The bad won't last forever, so we need to believe that things will go better."

Despite a disappointing performance, Ronaldo made one man who ran onto the pitch very happy by joining in a selfie with him, before the elated supporter was bundled away by security staff.

The 0-0 draw at the Parc des Princes leaves Hungary, who gained a point in a 1-1 draw with Iceland in Marseille earlier on Saturday, as the surprise Group F leaders with a game to play.

Austria must win their final match with Iceland at the Stade de France to avoid going home.

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