Cristiano Ronaldo has missed five penalties for Portugal and Real Madrid in 2015/16

By Peter Smith

Image: Cristiano Ronaldo missed a late penalty for Portugal against Austria

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

The Portugal captain spurned a golden opportunity to grab victory for his country against Austria when he fired his spot-kick against the upright 11 minutes from time. The subsequent 0-0 draw leaves Portugal third in Group F with one game to play.

It was the fifth time Ronaldo has missed a penalty this season and he has now failed with four of his last five efforts. Never before in a season has he missed more than three.

Image: Ronaldo fired his spot-kick against the post

Ronaldo had become the most-capped player in Portugal's history on Saturday night by making his 128th international appearance against Austria. But he'll also go into the record books as the first Portuguese to miss a penalty in a major tournament.

The 31-year-old was denied against Bulgaria in a friendly in March, too, and has also wasted penalties against Sevilla, Malaga and Real Sociedad for Real Madrid in 2015/16.

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Image: Ronaldo scored the decisive penalty in the Champions League final shootout in May

It hasn't all been bad news for Ronaldo from 12 yards this term - he's scored eight penalties in normal play and fired in the match-winning spot-kick in the Champions League final shoot-out against Atletico Madrid in May.

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However, as the table below shows, this has been a far from exemplary season from the spot for the Golden Boot winner…

Ronaldo penalty record for club & country (excl. shootouts, stats: transfermarkt.co.uk)

Season Penalties scored Penalties missed Success rate %
2015/16 8 5 61.5%
2014/15 14 3 82.2%
2013/14 10 1 90.9%
2012/13 7 1 87.5%
2011/12 15 2 88.2%
2010/11 9 0 100%
2009/10 4 1 80%
2008/09 6 0 100%
2007/08 6 2 75%
2006/07 5 1 83.3%
2005/06 2 0 100%
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