Ron becomes top scorer in Euro
BUDAPEST: Portugal began the defence of their title at Euro 2020 with a 3-0 victory over Hungary on Tuesday as Cristiano Ronaldo struck twice to become the all-time leading scorer in European Championship history.
Ronaldo’s strike, which put the title holders 2-0 up with three minutes left, was his 10th in the European Championship finals, spread across five tournaments going back to 2004.
Ronaldo then added another goal in stoppage time, his 11th Euros strike securing a 3-0 win.
Ronaldo, at the age of 36, beats the previous mark of nine set by France’s Michel Platini. All of Platini’s goals came in France’s triumphant Euro campaign on home soil in 1984.
In contrast Ronaldo scored twice at Euro 2004 when Portugal lost in the final to Greece as hosts, then added one in 2008, three in 2012 and three more when the Selecao won the trophy in 2016. He now has 106 goals altogether for his country, leaving him just three goals away from equalling the all-time international scoring record of 109 held by Iran’s Ali Daei.
Enrique rued missed chances from his side in their 0-0 draw with Sweden on Monday, insisting he will not be changing his style of play despite getting off to a disappointing start in the tournament.
It was a familiar story for Spain, who enjoyed 85 per cent possession in Seville, the highest figure for a team in a European Championship fixture since 1980 when Opta started recording the data. “We were by far the better team, the opposition tried to hang back, we completely controlled the game and tried to generate as many chances as possible,” Luis Enrique told a news conference.
“We were up against a physically strong team. We did have the chances to win the game. What went wrong was that we did not take these chances.”
The Spain coach was also keen to stress that there was no need to panic. Spain have enjoyed just one win in their last six opening matches at a major tournament, a 1-0 victory against the Czech Republic at Euro 2016.
There will be no change in system either, even though Spain’s possession amounted to little end product in Seville, with top spot in Group E remaining the target. “Of course, there are two games to go and we still aspire to win the group,” Luis Enrique added. “If we cannot do that we will try to come second. “I am not going to change the plan before the match against
Poland (Spain’s next game). We try to play the same way in every match, we are going to be prepared and we try to give our best.”