How Cristiano Ronaldo’s missed penalty makes Martin Hinteregger the happiest man in France
Austria centre-back Martin Hinteregger has revealed that he is happiest man in the France after Cristiano Ronaldo missed penalty denied Portugal victory at Euro 2016.
Hinteregger, who conceded penalty against Ronaldo in the closing stages of the game, and defender says he was relieved, after Real Madrid man failed to take his chance.
“It was a feeling of relief,” the Borussia Monchengladbach defender told Sport360 after the game. “Before he took it I was so angry with myself because I knew it was a foul and a mistake by me.
How Cristiano Ronaldo’s missed penalty makes Martin Hinteregger happiest man in France?
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“So when he missed his penalty, I was so happy – I was the happiest man in France. It was so great that we got one point.
He was unbelievable,” Hinteregger said. “Now I know that he is the best player in the world. He really is the best player – I’m so happy that he didn’t score against us. “
“We are confident now,” he said. “We wanted to get one point in this game to prepare us for the final game. Now we can get a win to go through to the next round.”
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While, Portugal manager Fernando Santos has defended Ronaldo, and will continue to take penalties for his side, despite of his recent record on spot kicks.
Cristiano always wants to take the free-kicks and it has always been him who has taken them,” said Santos. “If Raphael had not scored that goal, nobody would be talking about this.”
“We played really well against Austria without scoring and we have to continue with this attitude. We made Austria, who are ranked 10th in the world, look like a small team.”
Sometimes, I get the feeling that we are ashamed about being ugly, or not being pretty,” he said. “If we have to be ugly and that brings us efficiency, we have to be ugly. I’m ugly by nature and I don’t mind being even uglier.”
Santos said he would be staying in France until the final on July 10.
“I am only going back to Portugal on July 11 and I am going to be welcomed with a party,” he said.