Portugal were off to a great start after Renato Sanches’ goal in the second minute edged them closer to booking a place at the 2022 World Cup.
Dusan Tadic’s 33rd minute equaliser made for a nervy remainder of the match with Portugal needing to cling on to a draw in order to ensure automatic qualification.
That dream was crushed when Tadic set up Aleksandar Mitrovic for a dramatic 90th minute goal, but not before all-time leading international goal-scorer Ronaldo made a howler by “trying to be the hero”.
Full-back Joao Cancelo picked out the Manchester United forward with a cross in stoppage time as Portugal desperately pushed for a goal.
But all of Ronaldo’s experience seemed to go out the window as he chested the ball and swivelled to inexplicably volley the ball from distance.
His effort ended up being skied well over the bar and into the stands, leaving fans and teammates frustrated as Portugal now hope to go through the play-offs in order to reach the World Cup in Qatar.
And fans have since taken to social media to mock Ronaldo for “ruining” the chance to help his country qualify.
One fan tweeted: “He literally ruined the entire play before it started just for a chance to take off his shirt.”
Another Twitter user said: “I have no idea what he did that, he literally ruined the chance of equalising.”
A third added: “He wanted the spotlight so bad.”
Portugal will now have to go through two rounds of play-offs in March to prevent Ronaldo from missing a World Cup for the first time in his career.