Ronaldo double rescues Portugal in dramatic draw with France
BUDAPEST, - Cristiano Ronaldo came to Portugal’s rescue with two penalties to cancel out a brace from France’s Karim Benzema in an enthralling 2-2 draw that sent both sides into the Euro 2020 last 16 in a frantic conclusion to Group F yesterday.
An anxious night for the reigning European champions saw them occupy every position in the so-called group of death at various junctures but the 36-yearold Ronaldo, so often his country’s saviour, stepped up to reach another career milestone.
He had already become the highestever scorer in Euro finals with his double against Hungary in the opening game and his two spot-kick conversions — in the 31st and 60th minutes — took him to 109 international goals, level with the record number scored by Iran’s Ali Daei.
Benzema’s first was also from the spot as for the first time in European Championship history three penalties were converted in regular time.
The Frenchman, recalled by manager Didier Deschamps for the tournament after a five-year exile, equalised on the stroke of halftime with his first France goal for five years and 258 days.
He put France ahead two minutes after the interval and with Hungary leading Germany at that point in the other game, Portugal were bottom of Group F and staring at the exit.
But Ronaldo coolly beat Hugo Lloris again from 12 yards and Portugal held on for the draw which means they finished on four points in third place and can now prepare
for a last-16 clash against Belgium in Seville.
World champions France topped a crazy group with five points and will take on Switzerland in Bucharest.
“It was a fight and it wasn’t easy. We gave them the two goals from mistakes. We tried to win it,” said France manager Didier Deschamps, whose side were in danger of a last-16 clash with England at Wembley when they fell behind.
“It means we’re top and that’s the best position.”
EVERY SCENARIO
The Euro 2020 format has been criticised but there is no doubt that it produced a gripping night in which every conceivable scenario seemed to come into play.