ROCKING RONNIE!
YET MORE RECORDS FOR SUPER RONALDO AS PORTUGAL SURVIVE HUGE SCARE
Cristiano ronaldo carefully placed the ball on the spot for the second time last night and closed his eyes. Hugo Lloris bounced on his goal line, flapping his arms, while behind his net France supporters hurled various objects from the stands in an attempt to distract the penalty-taker.
Ronaldo composed himself, opened his eyes, darted forward and fired the ball past Lloris before sprinting away to perform a celebratory twirl as more plastic bottles rained down in his direction.
It was his second goal of the game, his fifth of the tournament and his 109th in international football, climbing level at the top of the all-time charts with iran’s ali Daei.
Another incredible milestone. More importantly, an equaliser to level the game at 2-2 and lift Portuguese spirits.
The holders had been sliding out of the competition as Group F stood at that stage, just before the hour mark, when the spanish referee antonio Mateu Lahoz gave his third penalty of the contest.
This time it was for handball against Jules Kounde as he tried to block a cross from ronaldo. the ball struck Kounde’s hand, no question. But, just like the other two, it was fiercely debated by those on the pitch.
Ronaldo made no mistake with either of his penalties while Karim Benzema, who scored from the spot for France and added a second from open play, recorded his first goals since ending a five-year exile from the national team.
Hungary, meanwhile, were fighting for their lives in Germany and the noise inside the Puskas arena in Budapest was off the scale.
Almighty roars greeted the goal flashes from Munich and this thrillingly breathless game before them pulsated as the world and European champions went after a winner. But Portugal goalkeeper rui Patricio made a fabulous save to deny Paul Pogba a spectacular goal to cap a splendid performance and then beat away tthe rebound ffrom antoine Griezmann. and Va r checked a clumsy tackle by Bruno Fernandes on Kingsley Coman. thithis time there was no foul. Meanwhile, England sat and waited. one team from this group were heading their way and, in the end, it is Germany, who equalised with six minutes left to break Hungarian hearts. the group dubbed the group of death ended as you might have predicted at the start, but there were twists, turns and no shortage of tension on the final night of the Euro 2020 first stage. Portugal had been in every position during the course of the 90 minutes but both teams were able to celebrate with their fans long after the final whistle in the sultry heat here. they both progressed, although not without casualties. there were injuries and they will carry yellow cards into the knockout stages. But there are more thrills to come from the stars of these two nations. ‘now the competition is starting,’ said coach Didier Deschamps after France had clinched top spot and a tie against switzerland.
‘it was an insane match, it went in all directions. Both goals were from penalties that came from mistakes and could have been avoided. it means we’re top and that’s the best position.’
Belgium await for Portugal, who go through as one of the best third-placed teams, as they were five years ago, when they won it.
‘We did what we had to so,’ said their boss Fernando santos.
‘We improved and we will improve more. We need to recuperate physically if we are to play well against Belgium. We are a tough team to beat.’
ronaldo gave Portugal the lead from the penalty spot, a decision disputed by the French. Joao Moutinho teased a free-kick into the penalty area and Lloris came out to punch.
Danilo climbed high, beat him by a split-second and took a fist and a forearm to the side of the face. Lloris claimed he got to the ball. and he did, there was a little glove on the ball.
there was also enough contact on Danilo to support referee Lahoz who was sure it was a penalty. in fact, it was a shock when Danilo returned to solidier on until half- time. it will be another incident for the concussion experts to discuss.
ronaldo smashed the ball past Lloris once the protests had faded and Portugal, who perhaps shaded the first half, deserved the lead
But France levelled from a disputed penalty of their own, just before the interval, and it was the Pogba-Kylian Mbappe axis doing the damage. Pogba clipped a pass over right back nelson semedo and Mbappe was off in a flash. semedo panicked.
Whether Mbappe would have got to the ball is another matter. it seemed to be drifting harmlessly out of play but semedo moved to block the run with an arm. Mbappe bounced off him, on to the floor, and Lahoz pointed to the spot.
this time, the red shirts pursued the referee but, again, the Var supported the decision. Benzema converted from the spot.
His second soon followed. another Pogba pass sent Benzema clear and his clinical finish beat Patricio. a flag went up for offside and it was tight, but Var intervened and the goal stood. the French were ahead.
Danilo did not make it back out for the second half. nor did
Lucas Hernandez, who missed the Hungary game to rest a niggling injury. then Lucas Digne limped off injured soon after coming on to replace Hernandez.
France played with adrien rabiot at left back and ronaldo hauled Portugal back. He won the penalty, driving the cross at Kounde’s hand, and although it was harsh on the young defender, ronaldo’s technique and focus from the spot was incredible.
the weight of history and the hopes of a nation rested on his shoulders. it was never really in doubt. ronaldo is made for moments such as these.