Diogo Dalot has been hailed as a ‘PEARL’ for comforting Cristiano Ronaldo after the Portuguese star burst into tears when his penalty was dramatically saved by Slovenian Jan Oblak

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Diogo Dalot has been heaped praise on the Manchester United defender after he tried to calm down Cristiano Ronaldo, who was in tears after missing a penalty against Slovenia.

Ronaldo is yet to score outside of a penalty shootout at Euro 2024, but he was given a golden opportunity to turn the tables late in extra time on Monday.

The 39-year-old desperately tried to find the back of the net throughout the match, firing from long-range free-kicks and having the ball lost to Oblak several times in open play.

Ronaldo confidently stepped forward to convert the penalty that could have clinched victory for Portugal after Liverpool striker Diogo Jota was fouled in the penalty area.

Before Oblak’s save, Ronaldo had produced an impressive record – he had missed just 29 of his 192 career penalties, with his latest strike being his first since Manchester United’s penalty shootout defeat to Middlesbrough in the 2022 FA Cup.

For the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, who previously lifted the European Championship with Portugal in 2016, Ronaldo burst into tears on the pitch.

The emotion of missing the penalty left Ronaldo in tears as the team gathered for a conference, with several players forced to stand around him.

Dalot, who is a close friend of Ronaldo, pulled the star aside, grabbed him by the head and whispered words of comfort into his ear.

These attempts seemed to pay off as Ronaldo calmed down and kept his cool in the second half of extra time, which ended in a goalless draw and Portugal won the penalty shootout.

Manchester City legend Micah Richards heaped praise on Dalot for his consolation try, telling the BBC: “Dalot. Dalot out there. He’s showing his passion for the game out there. He’s absolutely devastated but he’s got a chance to put that right.”

Meanwhile, Manchester United fans were delighted with Dalot’s show of friendship, with one X posting: “Diogo Dalot is a true BRILLIANT TEENAGERS.”

Another added similarly: “Dalot was standing in the corner of Cristiano Ronaldo’s pitch after missing a penalty,” with a heart emoji next to him.

A third comment posted on social media read: “Dalot supports Ronaldo after he misses penalty.”

Ronaldo beamed towards the end of the match as Portugal won the penalty shootout to book a Euro 2024 quarter-final clash with France.