SM
Inter Milan vs. Como: 15 hrs 54 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data
PN
European Championship | Group Stage
Jun 23, 2021 at 8pm UK
Puskás Aréna
FN

Portugal
2 - 2
France

Ronaldo (31' pen., 60' pen.)
FT(HT: 1-1)
Benzema (45+2' pen., 47')
Lloris (27'), Hernandez (36'), Griezmann (40'), Kimpembe (83')

Portugal 2-2 France: Les Bleus top group of death despite Ronaldo brace

:Headline: Portugal 2-2 France: Les Bleus top group of death despite Ronaldo brace:
The Juventus forward has netted 109 times for his country.
Sports Mole

Cristiano Ronaldo struck a brace of penalties to equal Ali Daei’s record of international goals and earn Portugal a 2-2 draw with France which booked them a place in the knockout phase of Euro 2020.

The Juventus forward scored from the spot in each half to ensure the current holders remain in the competition following a thrilling night of Group F action.

It was Ronaldo’s old club-colleague at Real Madrid, Karim Benzema, who had put Portugal on the verge of exiting the tournament before referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz awarded another penalty in Budapest.

With Germany only able to draw with Hungary in Munich, France were able to top the ‘group of death’ with a tally of five points following a back and forth encounter at the Puskas Arena.

Next up for the world champions is Switzerland while Portugal will travel to Seville to take on Belgium in a mouth-watering last-16 clash.

After two early efforts from Ronaldo were sandwiched between Kylian Mbappe being denied by Rui Patricio, Fernando Santos’ side were given the chance to take the lead in the 27th minute.

France captain Hugo Lloris was penalised for catching Danilo Pereira with a punch from a cross and after the defender was able to leave the pitch on his feet, it was over to the Portugal captain.

Ronaldo made no mistake, smashing home his 108th international goal to briefly put the European Championship holders top of Group F in the repeat of the 2016 final.

(PA Graphics)

It was shortlived with Paul Pogba central to France winning their own spot-kick on the verge of half-time when his pass into Mbappe saw Nelson Semedo drawn into bringing down the Paris St Germain attacker.

Benzema took responsibility and found the net in the second minute of stoppage time for his first international goal in almost six years after he was handed a surprise recall following a lengthy absence ahead of the tournament.

And when Benzema collected another wonderful Pogba pass in the 47th minute and slotted beyond Patricio, Portugal were suddenly heading out with VAR able to overturn the initial decision to rule out the goal for offside.

Ronaldo, as he often does, had the final say with the talisman winning his country a second spot-kick when his cross hit the arm of Jules Kounde.

Karim Benzema scored twice for France (Bernadett Szabo/AP)

Ronaldo again sent Lloris the wrong way to tie level with Iran great Daei’s record of 109 international goals.

There was no further drama with Patricio producing a crucial double save with 23 minutes left, firstly tipping Pogba’s 25-yard curler onto the post before he saved Antoine Griezmann’s follow-up effort from inside the area.

After news filtered through that Germany had equalised against Hungary, it meant France and Portugal could slightly breathe easier with both all but confirmed of a place in the knockout stage.

The full-time whistle followed which meant Switzerland awaited France in Bucharest on Monday while Portugal faced Belgium a day earlier.

body check tags ::

amp_article__452512 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2021-06-23 22:23:30:
html db last update - 2021-06-23 22:23:30 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html
Share this article now:


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Recommended Next on SM
Man United's Marcus Rashford replacement likely to leave the club in January?
Rashford's future 'takes a fresh twist' as 'new favourite' for Man United star 'emerges'
Two birds, one transfer: Spurs eye 'dual benefit' January deal for Dortmund star
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool16123137162139
2Chelsea17105237191835
3Arsenal1796234161833
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest179442319431
5Bournemouth178452721628
6Aston Villa178452626028
7Manchester CityMan City178362925427
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle177552721626
9Fulham176742422225
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton176742726125
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1772839251423
12Brentford177283232023
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd176472122-122
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham175572230-820
15Everton163761421-716
16Crystal Palace173771826-816
17Leicester CityLeicester173592137-1614
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1733112740-1312
19Ipswich TownIpswich172691632-1612
20Southampton1713131136-256
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

Man United's Marcus Rashford replacement likely to leave the club in January?

1

MU

Pep Guardiola to dig into war chest and sign £80m rated attacker for Man City?

2

PG

Preview: Bahrain vs. Iraq - prediction, team news, lineups

NEW

3

PB

Two Arsenal, two Liverpool: Sports Mole's Premier League Team of the Week

4

TA

Amorim Vs Arteta: Manchester United to battle Arsenal for star forward?

5

AV

Rashford's future 'takes a fresh twist' as 'new favourite' for Man United star 'emerges'

6

RF

'Everton draw better than Brentford win': Maresca delighted with Toffees stalemate

7

'D

Top Premier League goalscorers of all time

8

TP

Kylian is back: Mbappe shines as Real Madrid beat Sevilla in six-goal thriller at Bernabeu

9

KI

No Rush? The maths behind Salah's pursuit of Liverpool record

10

NR


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .