Ronaldo landmark as Portugal go through

2

Ronaldo 30pen, 60pen

2 Benzema 45pen, 47

Cristiano Ronaldo kept Portugal alive in Euro 2020 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 last 16 in a breathless conclusion to Group F last night.

Benzema confirmed his return from international exile with his first goals for France for more than five years after being recalled for the tournament.

But it was Ronaldo who again grabbed the headlines as he equalled the world record 109 international goals scored by Iran's Ali Daei, ensuring that the defending European champions scrambled into the knockout phase.

Ronaldo tucked away the first of three penalties in the match in the 31st minute to give his side a deserved lead but Benzema equalised from the spot in first-half stoppage time.

Benzema struck again just after half-time from Paul Pogba's superb pass and at that stage Portugal were heading out of the competition they won by beating France in 2016.

Ronaldo beat Hugo Lloris from the spot again on the hour, however, shortly before Pogba thumped a long-range effort against the crossbar in a match that sprung to life after a cagey start.

Portugal hung on the draw which meant they finished third in a heavyweight group with four points, behind Germany (four points) who twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with Hungary. Portugal will play Belgium while France topped the group with five points and will take on Switzerland.