Euro 2020: Record-breaking Cristiano Ronaldo helps Portugal advance, Germany through to Round of 16


Two penalties from Cristiano Ronaldo helped defending champions Portugal after a 2-2 draw with France on Wednesday in a dramatic conclusion to the Euro 2020 Group F in the second round of the Euro.

World champions France won the group one point ahead of Germany in second place, Portugal in third place, tied with Germany.

Ronaldo put his team in the lead from the penalty spot and became the first European in the history of the World Cup and the European Championship to score 20 goals in both competitions.

France striker Karim Benzema scored two goals to put his side in the lead, but Ronaldo tied from the penalty spot to become the joint top scorer in international football history.

Ronaldo scored the opening goal in the 31st minute and equalized with a penalty in the 60th minute after Benzema had put France 2-1 ahead shortly after the pass from Paul Pogba.

Benzema also took a penalty in stoppage time in the first half after Kylian Mbappe was fouled. It was Benzema’s first international goal in almost six years after losing his place on the team after an argument with coach Didier Deschamps.

Pogba almost scored a winning goal for France in the middle of the second half, but Portugal goalkeeper Rui Patricio parried his iron shot over the bar with one hand and then parried Antoine Griezmann’s follow-up shot.

Germany rallied back to stay alive

Leon Goretzka scored late after the 2-2 draw against Hungary on Wednesday to keep Germany in the EM.

Jamal Musiala immediately scored after being substituted on in the 82nd minute by evading three defenders to give Timo Werner some leeway. Werner was blocked, but the rebound fell for Goretzka, who shot past goalkeeper Péter Gulácsi in the 84th goal.

It looked like Ádám Szalai would pull his team into the round of 16. The Hungarian captain scored an early goal against the course of the game and prepared András Schäfer to make it 2-1 for Germany after Kai Havertz equalized.

Germany got off to a better start, but was caught again early in the tournament when Szalai hit 11th place with a header from a cross from Roland Sallai.

Germany fought Hungary’s defensive 5-3-2 formation and was additionally hampered by heavy rain in the first half due to a thunderstorm.

In the 66th round, the home team finally made their breakthrough when the otherwise excellent Gulácsi couldn’t fend off Toni Koos’ free kick. Mats Hummels headed the ball forward and Havertz ensured safety from close range.

But Hungary reacted immediately when Szalai played in Schäfer to simmer the ball past Manuel Neuer.

It would have been enough to send Hungary into the next round at Germany’s expense, but substitutes saved the game.

Germany finished second in the group with four points and will face England on Tuesday at Wembley Stadium.


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