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Cesc Fabregas Puts Spain In Euro 2012 Final, Cristiano Ronaldo Never Takes PK

Maybe it’s fitting that in the wake of a match widely lamented for its lack of action for most of the time it was going on, the hottest talking point was something that didn’t even happen. Sure, the stakes were high, and the result: Spain defeating Portugal 4-2 on penalty kicks to advance to the Euro 2012 final – is a big story, but all anyone could focus on in the aftermath that none of Portugal’s four penalty tries came off the foot of Cristiano Ronaldo, not only their best player but one of the world’s best.

Had Fabregas’s shot missed, Ronaldo would have taken the last shot for Portugal to try to keep his side alive. But saving a player up like that is a risky proposition – as today’s result showed. Whether Ronaldo wanted to be the fifth guy to go or whether Portugal drew it up that way isn’t known, but whoever made the decision clearly misfired here. There’s an argument to be made that Ronaldo is the best player in the world. Scoring goals is what he does. He’s averaged more than a goal per game since going to Real Madrid. You have to get him his shot.

But he didn’t, and Spain converted enough of theirs, so they’ll get a shot to defend their European championship. Maybe it’ll be overshadowed by Ronaldo not getting a shot for now, but ultimately, the result matters. See Fabregas’ kick, which directly led to that result (as well as one unhappy Ronaldo), below.