Portugal took a 3-0 victory over Hungary in Budapest in defense of the European Championship. The score didn’t show a tough beginning for the 2016 winners. Cristiano Ronaldo’s stalemate was broken only in the 84th minute. This result will offer future generations a sense of inevitability. The 36-year-old, who took part in five European Championships in Budapest, was the first player to add a brace to his name.
Portuguese players were able to hush the vast audience of fierce capacities on the Puskas Arena and to create a chance in the first period.
Carvalho was the bouncer to make way for the more advanced Sanches, who tried to locate Silva for the insurance of the chances in the midfield. The initial pinball of Guerreiro already clamped down bounded bodies. Orban was frantic and timid to go over Silva, who was on the goal. Before dancing from the right, he smacked it in the corner.
After the half, Hungary had hoped to cause upheaval, and they seemed to have amazed Portugal when replacement Szabolcs Schon found the back of the net only for the exclusion of the offside.
Hungary’s next matches will be an ultimate test of their skills. Germany and France would be hoping to secure the win to advance themselves of the group stages. However, Hungary displayed an admirable defense against Portugal and showed that it would not be an easy feat to accomplish.
Record-Breaking Stat:
Cristiano Ronaldo from Portugal became the first player to achieve 10+ goals in European Championship Finals (11), overwhelming Michel Platini’s nine goals mark (all scored in the 1984 edition).
Player ratings
Hungary: Gulacsi (8), Botka (6), Orban (7), A. Szalai (7), Lovrencsics (6), Kleinheisler (7), Nagy (6), Schafer (7), Fiola (6), Szalai (6), Sallai (6).
Subs: Nego (5), Siger (5), Schon (6).
Portugal: Patricio (7), Semedo (6), Dias (7), Pepe (8), Guerreiro (7), Danilo (6), Carvalho (6), Fernandes (6), Ronaldo (8), Jota (6), B. Silva (6).
Subs: Rafa Silva (5), Sanches (n/a)Man of the Match: Cristiano Ronaldo.
References:
Ehantharajah, Vithushan. “Cristiano Ronaldo Puts Historic Stamp on Portugal’s Late Victory over Hungary at Euro 2020.” The Independent, 16 June 2021, www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/hungary-portugal-result-cristiano-ronaldo-euro-2020-b1866551.html.
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