November 23, 2024

Portugal vs. France score: Live updates for Group F as Cristiano Ronaldo tries to qualify for knockouts

Group F #GroupF

The final round of Group F matches in the 2020 UEFA European Championship lived up to expectations with Hungary going home after a late draw to Germany and France finishing top after a tie with Portugal.

Ádám Szalai and András Schäfer goals almost secured a famous win for the Hungarians despite Kai Havertz’s strike at Allianz Arena, but Leon Goretzka bailed the hosts out.

Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo traded braces with three penalties at Puskas Arena as Les Bleus finished top of the group ahead of Germany, leaving Portugal to finish third.

That finish means that Germany and England will meet at Wembley in the knockout stage.

It was a fast start to the drama in Group F with Hungary and Portugal both taking first half leads, but while the Portuguese were pegged back by Benzema, the Germans could not level.

Didier Deschamps’ men needed just a few minutes to take the lead in Budapest while it took Joachim Low’s side until the 66th minute to pull level, only to throw it away within minutes.

Goretzka did ultimately manage to spare his boss’ blushes with a second equalizer, but Germany were reduced to playing for time against a desperately unlucky Hungarian side who were already having to shoulder significant pressure due to the situation around the Munich clash.

Referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz continued to make himself the main attraction at Puskas Arena with a bizarre display that put the majority of the good performances by officials at this tournament to shame.

However, there were no further goals and both games finished 2-2.

This means that France will now face Switzerland in Bucharest, Germany travel to London to face England at Wembley and Portugal will be up against Belgium in Seville.

While each team has plenty of questions left to answer if they are to go all the way, there are also positives with France and Portugal grateful to Benzema and Ronaldo’s prowess in front of goal while the pressure is arguably off Germany now ahead of a dangerous match for the English.

Pogba underlined his status as arguably the biggest performer of the group stage with another impressive display that was capped by a superb assist for Benzema’s second, but you also cannot argue with Ronaldo five goals — even if three were penalties. 

Euro 2020: Group F scores

Portugal 2, France 2Cristiano Ronaldo: ⚽ 31′ (p), ⚽ 60′ (p)Karim Benzema: ⚽ 45’+2 (p), ⚽ 47′

Germany 2, Hungary 2Ádám Szalai: ⚽ 11’Kai Havertz: ⚽ ’66András Schäfer: ⚽ ’68Leon Goretzka: ⚽ ’84

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