Cristiano Ronaldo breaks Euros goal record as Portugal leave it late to defeat stubborn Hungary
Portugal started fast but wasted their chances in the first half
Hungary frustrated Portugal after the break but three late goals secured the points for the reigning champions
Here comes Cristiano Ronaldo again. Teaching the world to sing his name in perfect harmony.
First he was embarrassing the billionaire sponsors Coca-Cola, next he was delivering his trademark smirks with world class smugness after each attempted backheel, and then he was kick-starting Portugal’s European championship defence by casually making history with two goals in three minutes.
Never mind sixty thousand heartbroken Hungarian spectators. The whole of Europe was left in no doubt this summer is an invitation to the Cristiano show.
It is ever thus when the superstar comes to town. The lingering memory of Portugal’s 2016 victory in Paris was of their coach, Fernando Santos, effectively relegated to assistant as the stricken Ronaldo choreographed his teammates’ rearguard action.
The opening act of this competition culminated in the latest of his amazing records, a late double in a paradoxically uncomfortable yet deserved 3-0 confirming Ronaldo as the competition’s greatest goalscorer. He has eleven in total, eclipsing France maestro Michel Platini.
Now 36 and in his record-breaking fifth Euros, it is tempting to see this as Ronaldo’s swansong in international football - an unwise conclusion. His farewell may be football’s equivalent of another Rolling Stones tour, perpetually ready and willing to engage in another fling on the biggest stages. You could imagine Ronaldo still going in his 50s, snarling at referees who refuse to believe he only loses possession when fouled, offering a slightly patronising thumbs-up to a young colleague who heeds the demand to pass to him, winking towards and possibly checking his reflection in the nearest touchline camera.
We ought to know better to consider a genius accepting of being a support act, even when accounting for the supreme talent in a Portuguese squad which would be strong contenders to retain their title with or without their extraordinary number seven. This is a side packed with so much class they no longer need carrying by their star.
Compared to his prime, some Ronaldo tricks occasionally look more showy than penetrative. There are only so many two-footed shuffles on the far touchline that are necessary when an easy six yard pass into midfield is available. Would a younger Ronaldo have missed a tap-in after six yards, as he did after Bruno Fernandes’ cross two minutes before half-time?
In the space of ten seconds midway through the first half Ronaldo flung up his arms when no-one was within five yards of a frankly lousy pass. No matter. When he is on the pitch, a match-winning contribution is in the post. When he did lose the ball for the first time, he immediately won it back and fed Bernardo Silva who should have shot towards Hungarian keeper Peter Gulacsi. Long before the conclusive finale, a Ronaldo goal and assist in the first half would not have been flattering.
Portugal ought to have been in the clear by half-time, Diogo Jota, Silva and Ronaldo the most culpable as their dominance failed to break through an Hungarian defence in survival mode.
Santos’ side has a different profile to five years ago, when they were set-up to resist more than attack.
The second half was more open, offering a glimpse into Portugal’s strength in depth. Substitute Rafa Silva, introduced after 71 minutes for Bernardo, was arguably the most decisive player, involved in all three late goals.
They had to wait 84 minutes for the breakthrough, and it was fortuitous. Rafa crossed and Raphael Guerreiro’s shot deflected off Willi Orban.
The defender then tugged Rafa’s shirt to allow Ronaldo his momentous strike from the spot. Rafa and Ronaldo’s double act created a gorgeous third in injury time.
All that was missing was a celebration in which Ronaldo kicked away a couple of coke bottles, stared into the lens and re-emphasised the ‘drink water’ that so delighted anti-obesity campaigners in his pre-match Press Conference.
Portugal are reaffirmed as one of the favourites. They have it all; pace, skill and the fully-fit, sugar free and evergreen Ronaldo.
06:36 PMThat's all from me...
That's all from me...
But join Daniel Zeqiri for live updates of France-Germany here
06:21 PMRemarkable consistency from Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo’s goalscoring record at major tournaments 🤯
Euro 2004: ⚽️⚽️
World Cup 2006: ⚽️
Euro 2008: ⚽️
World Cup 2010: ⚽️
Euro 2012: ⚽️⚽️⚽️
World Cup 2014: ⚽️
Euro 2016: ⚽️⚽️⚽️
World Cup 2018: ⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️
Euro 2020: ⚽️⚽️ (and counting 😏)#POR | #ITVFootball | #Euro2020 pic.twitter.com/1EGf13C5bW
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 15, 2021
06:14 PMA record-equalling margin for Portugal
Remarkable consistency from Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo’s goalscoring record at major tournaments 🤯
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 15, 2021
Euro 2004: ⚽️⚽️
World Cup 2006: ⚽️
Euro 2008: ⚽️
World Cup 2010: ⚽️
Euro 2012: ⚽️⚽️⚽️
World Cup 2014: ⚽️
Euro 2016: ⚽️⚽️⚽️
World Cup 2018: ⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️
Euro 2020: ⚽️⚽️ (and counting 😏)#POR | #ITVFootball | #Euro2020 pic.twitter.com/1EGf13C5bW
06:14 PMA record-equalling margin for Portugal
A record-equalling margin for Portugal
Portugal equalled their largest margin of victory at the European Championships, with their previous victories by three goals coming in 1996 (3-0 v Croatia) and 2000 (3-0 v Germany).
06:08 PMPortugal could not afford to slip up tonight
Portugal could not afford to slip up tonight
The group of death - also containing Germany and France who face off shortly - means beating Hungary was a must for Portugal. It was an odd performance from the reigning champions. They were good in the first half, but failed to score, and struggled after the break but managed to score three goals in a manic period of the match.
Plenty of room for improvement - but three points is three points!
06:03 PMPortugal's third of the night was rather special
That is 𝐬𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥! 🐐@Cristiano's 106th international goal is one we won't be forgetting for a very long time 🤯#POR | #ITVFootball | #Euro2020 pic.twitter.com/ilICgXL4q0
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 15, 2021
06:01 PMRonaldo just keeps on performing
36y 130d - Cristiano Ronaldo has become the oldest player to score 2+ goals in a European Championship match, taking the record from Andriy Shevchenko, who was 35y 256d when he scored a brace against Sweden for Ukraine in 2012. Endurance. #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/Q9uIntM8Br
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 15, 2021
05:58 PMThat was an amazing ending...
Portugal's third of the night was rather special
That is 𝐬𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥! 🐐@Cristiano's 106th international goal is one we won't be forgetting for a very long time 🤯#POR | #ITVFootball | #Euro2020 pic.twitter.com/ilICgXL4q0
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 15, 2021
06:01 PMRonaldo just keeps on performing
36y 130d - Cristiano Ronaldo has become the oldest player to score 2+ goals in a European Championship match, taking the record from Andriy Shevchenko, who was 35y 256d when he scored a brace against Sweden for Ukraine in 2012. Endurance. #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/Q9uIntM8Br
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 15, 2021
05:58 PMThat was an amazing ending...
Ronaldo just keeps on performing
36y 130d - Cristiano Ronaldo has become the oldest player to score 2+ goals in a European Championship match, taking the record from Andriy Shevchenko, who was 35y 256d when he scored a brace against Sweden for Ukraine in 2012. Endurance. #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/Q9uIntM8Br
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 15, 2021
05:58 PMThat was an amazing ending...
That was an amazing ending...
Hungary had held firm and were growing into the game and then the game turned upside down. A deflected goal and a penalty broke Hungary's spirits before Ronaldo scored a wonderful goal.
05:52 PMFULL TIME: Hungary 0 Portugal 3
FULL TIME: Hungary 0 Portugal 3
Three quick fire goals flatter Portugal - but they have turned in one when it counts.
05:49 PMGOOOOOOAAAAAAAL! Ronaldo Hungary 0 Portugal 3
GOOOOOOAAAAAAAL! Ronaldo Hungary 0 Portugal 3
Portugal then work their way forward. Ronaldo saunters into the box and takes the ball around the keeper with ease before rolling it home. That was sublime - and far too easy.
05:48 PM90+2 min: Hungary 0 Portugal 2
90+2 min: Hungary 0 Portugal 2
Portugal are just calmly passing the ball around, running down the clock. Hungary look almost too tired to press them.
05:47 PM90 min: Hungary 0 Portugal 2
90 min: Hungary 0 Portugal 2
It has all gone very quiet in the packed Puskas Arena, bar the pocket of Portuguese fans who can now be heard.
There will be five minutes of added time.
05:45 PM88 min: Hungary 0 Portugal 2
88 min: Hungary 0 Portugal 2
Hungary had done so well this half and it has all been undone in the space of two minutes.
Moutinho is on for Fernandes.
05:44 PMGOOOOOOAAAAAAAL! Ronaldo Hungary 0 Portugal 2
GOOOOOOAAAAAAAL! Ronaldo Hungary 0 Portugal 2
Ronaldo will step up to take this. And he buries it! He sends the keeper the wrong way, hammering the ball into the bottom right hand corner.
Game over in a matter of minutes.
05:43 PMPENALTY TO PORTUGAL
PENALTY TO PORTUGAL
Hungary go forward and are exposed at the back. Rafa Silva breaks in behind and Orban pulls him to ground in the box. Penalty.
05:41 PMGOOOOOOAAAAAAAL! Guerreiro Hungary 0 Portugal 1
GOOOOOOAAAAAAAL! Guerreiro Hungary 0 Portugal 1
The ball is played into Guerreiro who stabs the ball towards goal from inside the box. It takes a huge deflection of Orban and nestles in the bottom corner. That is so unlucky for Hungary.
05:40 PM84 min: Hungary 0 Portugal 0
84 min: Hungary 0 Portugal 0
Nego was booked for dissent to the assistant referee in the aftermath of the disallowed goal.
Schone looks to break in behind once again but Pepe makes a crucial intervention. The pace of the Hungarian substitutes is causing problems!
05:38 PM81 min: Hungary 0 Portugal 0
81 min: Hungary 0 Portugal 0
Hungary are, understandably, sitting very deep, looking to counter. And that they do! Schon breaks down the right and after pass from Nego. He breaks into the box and beats Patricio at the near post! But he is ruled offside! No goal. The replays confirm he is well off.
More Portugal changes; Andre Silva on for Jota, Sanches on for Carvalho.
05:35 PM78 min: Hungary 0 Portugal 0
78 min: Hungary 0 Portugal 0
Portugal are adamant there is a hand ball in the Hungary box! Ronaldo ran in behind and lost the ball under a challenge. Nothing from the referee and the replay shows a tiny amount of contact. That would have been very harsh.
More changes for Hungary; Sallai and Kleinheisler off, Siger and Schon on.
05:32 PM75 min: Hungary 0 Portugal 0
75 min: Hungary 0 Portugal 0
Sallai breaks down the left, using some neat footwork to draw a foul from Pepe. Smart play. Portugal look extremely frustrated as the noise continues to rise in the Puskas Arena.
The ball falls to Szalai who hits a half-volley from 35-yards out towards goal. It it not a bad strike but the ball goes comfortably over the bar.
05:30 PM73 min: Hungary 0 Portugal 0
73 min: Hungary 0 Portugal 0
Hungary form a dangerous counter attack, finding plenty of room down the right. A cross is sent across the Portugal box but Pepe stabs the ball clear. Portugal were outnumbered there!
05:27 PM70 min: Hungary 0 Portugal 0
70 min: Hungary 0 Portugal 0
Fernandes cuts in from the right hand side and fires a shot well wide. He should have crossed from that position.
Here comes the first Portugal change; Rafa Silva on for Bernardo Silva.
05:25 PM68 min: Hungary 0 Portugal 0
68 min: Hungary 0 Portugal 0
The corner is taken short before a ball is eventually lofted in the box. Dias goes up for it but the ball trickles out for a goal kick.
Fernandes finds a pocket of space and fires a dipping shot from range. He struck it well and Gulasci has to turn it behind for a corner - which is then headed clear once more.
05:22 PM66 min: Hungary 0 Portugal 0
66 min: Hungary 0 Portugal 0
Change for Hungary. Nego on for Schafer.
Portugal win a corner but Orban, who has been strong today, heads it clear. Portugal come again and win another corner.
05:21 PM64 min: Hungary 0 Portugal 0
64 min: Hungary 0 Portugal 0
Portugal have looked for less threatening this half. Hungary - as well as France and Germany - will be delighted with how this match is unfolding.
05:17 PM61 min: Hungary 0 Portugal 0
61 min: Hungary 0 Portugal 0
Semedo curls a tantalising ball into the box and Gulasci unconvincingly claims it. There is still a huge amount of noise from the 61,000 in the stadium and Hungary are working incredibly hard to compete.
05:15 PM58 min: Hungary 0 Portugal 0
58 min: Hungary 0 Portugal 0
Schafer is tackled by Semedo on the edge of the Portugal box. The ball falls nicely to Sallai who hammers a shot straight at Patricio,
Dias and Szalai are now getting a telling off for a verbal disagreement. The Hungarian captain was not happy with the Man City defender.
05:12 PM55 min: Hungary 0 Portugal 0
55 min: Hungary 0 Portugal 0
Portugal have been a little flat since the break. It might be worth using an early substitution with so much talent on the bench.
Sallai chases a ball in behind and goes down holding his face. Nothing was given by the referee but play has now stopped. The replay shows Dias accidentally catches him as he goes up for a header. Play on.
05:10 PM53 min: Hungary 0 Portugal 0
53 min: Hungary 0 Portugal 0
Fernandes knocks the ball past the onrushing defender and is clattered. Free kick is eventually awarded.
05:07 PM50 min: Hungary 0 Portugal 0
50 min: Hungary 0 Portugal 0
Schafer does some good work down the left wing before rolling the ball to Szalai. The Hungarian strikes a shot from 35-yards out. Unsurprisingly, it does not trouble Patricio.
05:04 PM47 min: Hungary 0 Portugal 0
47 min: Hungary 0 Portugal 0
Portugal play long down the right hand side but the ball runs out for a goal kick. Hungary then get caught trying to play out from the back. Portugal's press is too dynamic for the Hungarians at the moment. Portugal force a corner.
Pepe wins it and heads the ball towards the bottom corner, forcing Gulasci to make a sharp save.
05:02 PMThe second half is underway!
The second half is underway!
Portugal get us restarted.
05:01 PMPortugal cannot afford to slip up today
Portugal cannot afford to slip up today
This group is brutal and today is must-win for Portugal. The players are back out onto the pitch.
04:51 PMRonaldo should have been played in early on - and he was not happy about it...
Ignore Ronaldo at your peril 😡#POR | #ITVFootball | #Euro2020 pic.twitter.com/2vA50sej57
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 15, 2021
04:47 PMPortugal should be in front...
Ronaldo should have been played in early on - and he was not happy about it...
Ignore Ronaldo at your peril 😡#POR | #ITVFootball | #Euro2020 pic.twitter.com/2vA50sej57
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 15, 2021
04:47 PMPortugal should be in front...
Portugal should be in front...
But they have wasted their chances. Hungary do not have much pace on the break and are sitting deep. It feels like it is a matter time before Portugal score...
04:46 PMHALF TIME: Hungary 0 Portugal 0
HALF TIME: Hungary 0 Portugal 0
And that is that.
04:45 PM45 min: Hungary 0 Portugal 0
45 min: Hungary 0 Portugal 0
Fernandes finds space in behind but he cannot bring down the ball over the top. The momentum is firmly with Portugal as we edge towards the end of the half.
There will be one minute of added time.
04:43 PM43 min: Hungary 0 Portugal 0
43 min: Hungary 0 Portugal 0
Bernardo Silva has been industrious this half. He breaks into the Hungary box but his cross is deflected away.
Ronaldo misses a sitter! The ball is fired low across goal and Ronaldo hits over the bar from six yards out! The ball bounced just before him but even so... Hungary cling on to their clean sheet for now.
04:41 PM41 min: Hungary 0 Portugal 0
41 min: Hungary 0 Portugal 0
Another chance for Jota! He spins in the box and hits a shot straight at the keeper! Fernandes was behind him and would have had a far better angle for a shot!
04:39 PM39 min: Hungary 0 Portugal 0
39 min: Hungary 0 Portugal 0
Jota is in behind once more but this time he miscontrols it. Today is just not his day so far.
Dias is booked for catching Kleinheisler. They both went for the ball but Dias' foot was a little high.
Hungary are having their best spell of the game and they attack once more.
04:36 PM36 min: Hungary 0 Portugal 0
36 min: Hungary 0 Portugal 0
Pepe gives away possession and Schafer breaks forward. He finds his captain Szalai who is hacked down by Bernardo Silva. He is lucky not to be booked.
Hungary can whip this free kick into the box. Sallai stands over it and curls it to the front post. He picks out Szalai who flicks the his header straight into the hands of Patricio! That was a chance.
04:33 PM33 min: Hungary 0 Portugal 0
33 min: Hungary 0 Portugal 0
Szalai lumbers down the left wing with the ball but cannot find Sallai with his pass. Not seen much from the Hungarian attack so far.
04:31 PM31 min: Hungary 0 Portugal 0
31 min: Hungary 0 Portugal 0
Portugal are well on top in Budapest but they have no goal to show for it. Bernardo Silva dinks a cross to the back post but Ronaldo can only direct his header well wide.
04:29 PM29 min: Hungary 0 Portugal 0
29 min: Hungary 0 Portugal 0
Hungary are struggling to play their way out of their half at the moment. They lose possession again and Semedo's cross is deflected behind for a corner.
The ball in is dealt with but once again there is no out ball for the hosts.
04:27 PM27 min: Hungary 0 Portugal 0
27 min: Hungary 0 Portugal 0
The jeering continues as Portugal spread the ball around. Jota loses the ball and then gives away a foul - he looks frustrated after wasting a couple of early chances.
Ronaldo executes a couple of step-overs before passing the ball to absolutely no one. He redeems himself, winning the ball back and rolling it into Bernardo Silva's feet in the box. Orban makes a strong and crucial challenge just in time.
04:24 PM24 min: Hungary 0 Portugal 0
24 min: Hungary 0 Portugal 0
William Carvalho wins a corner for his side. The delivery is headed away and Portugal come again, slowly asserting their dominance over this match.
Schäfer goes down under a challenge from Fernandes and a free kick is awarded. The Hungarian fans in the stadium are making some noise, booing the Portuguese with verve when they are in possession.
04:21 PM21 min: Hungary 0 Portugal 0
21 min: Hungary 0 Portugal 0
Szalai and Pepe are having a good battle at the moment. Both are physical players and neither is backing down.
04:19 PM19 min: Hungary 0 Portugal 0
19 min: Hungary 0 Portugal 0
Bernardo Silva tries to create something down the right but it is well defended. Ronaldo then breaks in behind, latching onto a through ball from Pepe. His volley is just saved. The offside flag then goes up.
04:17 PM17 min: Hungary 0 Portugal 0
17 min: Hungary 0 Portugal 0
Ronaldo gets on the ball for the first time but he is quickly dispossessed by Nagy.
04:13 PM13 min: Hungary 0 Portugal 0
13 min: Hungary 0 Portugal 0
Jota beats a defender with ease, cutting inside onto his left but his cross is blocked. Guerreiro then makes a run in behind but there is too much on the pass.
04:11 PM11 min: Hungary 0 Portugal 0
11 min: Hungary 0 Portugal 0
Portugal have started brightly, already creating a couple of chances. Semedo finds some space down the right but he is forced to turn back and find a fellow defender.
04:08 PM8 min: Hungary 0 Portugal 0
8 min: Hungary 0 Portugal 0
Hungary launch their first proper attack. The ball is launched into the Portuguese box from a free kick towards Orban but it is headed away.
Portugal then cross into the Hungary box and Jota volleys it over the bar! Another early chance squandered.
04:06 PM6 min: Hungary 0 Portugal 0
6 min: Hungary 0 Portugal 0
Portugal win a free kick in an attacking area but Pepe is offside.
04:05 PM5 min: Hungary 0 Portugal 0
5 min: Hungary 0 Portugal 0
Hungary look to attack down the left but a strong tackle from Pepe secures the ball for his side. They attack down the right and Jota is played in behind. He takes a touch and releases a powerful shot from range which is saved. Ronaldo was free and is furious he was not played in!
04:02 PM2 min: Hungary 0 Portugal 0
2 min: Hungary 0 Portugal 0
Pepe is fouled by Sallai on half-way, allowing a free kick to be launched into the box. Hungary deal with it competently enough.
04:00 PMHere we go!
Here we go!
Hungary get us underway. The full stadium is executing an excellent 'viking clap'.
03:56 PMThe players are out onto the pitch!
The players are out onto the pitch!
They are greeted with a load roar from the 61,000 inside the Puskas Arena. There are a few pockets of Portugal supporters inside the ground who make their voices heard during the national anthems.
03:53 PMPortugal cannot afford to get off to a slow start
Portugal cannot afford to get off to a slow start
Group F is without doubt the group of death with Germany and France getting their campaigns underway later this evening. From a Portugal perspective, three points are an absolute must against Hungary given their opposition to come.
03:49 PMThis stat makes excellent reading for Portugal fans
This stat makes excellent reading for Portugal fans
Portugal have never lost against Hungary, in 13 previous encounters (W9 D4). In fact, Hungary are the team Portugal have faced the most times without ever losing.
03:43 PMThe 61,000 fans in the ground are going to make quite some noise...
03:33 PMHistory indicates we will have plenty of goals this evening...
The 61,000 fans in the ground are going to make quite some noise...
03:33 PMHistory indicates we will have plenty of goals this evening...
History indicates we will have plenty of goals this evening...
This is the third meeting between Hungary and Portugal at a major tournament after World Cup 1966 and Euro 2016, all in the group stages. The two previous games have produced a total of 10 goals (3-1 to Portugal in 1966, 3-3 in 2016).
03:23 PMPortugal have some serious fire power on the bench today
Portugal have some serious fire power on the bench today
Joao Moutinho, Andre Silva, Rafa Silva, Renato Sanches, Ruben Neves, Joao Felix and exciting teenager Nuno Mendes are all among the reserves for Portugal.
It is going to be a full 90 minute challenge for Hungary...
03:13 PMSome effort, this
5 - Cristiano Ronaldo today becomes the first player in European Championships history to appear at five different tournaments (2004, 2008, 2012, 2016 and 2020). Legend. pic.twitter.com/iPWxl0T7sB
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 15, 2021
03:03 PMThere is plenty of attacking talent on show for Portugal
Some effort, this
5 - Cristiano Ronaldo today becomes the first player in European Championships history to appear at five different tournaments (2004, 2008, 2012, 2016 and 2020). Legend. pic.twitter.com/iPWxl0T7sB
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 15, 2021
03:03 PMThere is plenty of attacking talent on show for Portugal
There is plenty of attacking talent on show for Portugal
Fernandes, Jota, Ronaldo and Bernardo Silva all start.
This could turn into a long night for Hungary if those four click.
02:58 PMThe team news is in!
Ezzel a kezdővel indul Magyarország számára az Európa-bajnokság! #HUNPOR #magyarok #csakegyutt #EURO2020. ⚽️⚽️🇭🇺🇭🇺 pic.twitter.com/TIzpVJ6Hfn
— MLSZ (@MLSZhivatalos) June 15, 2021
Este é o nosso 11 inicial! #VamosComTudo! pic.twitter.com/bDbfwD0xaG
— Portugal (@selecaoportugal) June 15, 2021
02:46 PMShould Portugal confront the unthinkable? Is it time to drop Cristiano Ronaldo?
The team news is in!
Ezzel a kezdővel indul Magyarország számára az Európa-bajnokság! #HUNPOR #magyarok #csakegyutt #EURO2020. ⚽️⚽️🇭🇺🇭🇺 pic.twitter.com/TIzpVJ6Hfn
— MLSZ (@MLSZhivatalos) June 15, 2021
Este é o nosso 11 inicial! #VamosComTudo! pic.twitter.com/bDbfwD0xaG
— Portugal (@selecaoportugal) June 15, 2021
02:46 PMShould Portugal confront the unthinkable? Is it time to drop Cristiano Ronaldo?
Should Portugal confront the unthinkable? Is it time to drop Cristiano Ronaldo?
As Portugal head into a first major tournament as defending champions this summer, Ronaldo is no longer a topic brought up in every news conference. In fact, Santos is facing a different conundrum: given he can call on arguably his country’s best-ever crop of players, does Ronaldo still merit a place in the starting XI?
Portugal’s problem is that their most famous and gilded player - with five Ballon d’Or, 104 international goals and a stack of silverware for club and country - appears to prevent other footballers from playing at their best.
It cannot have escaped anyone’s attention that arguably the best display of the entire six-and-a-half year Santos era came last September, when Ronaldo was out injured. In his absence, Diogo Jota, Joao Felix, Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes had a game for the ages and beat 2018 World Cup runners-up Croatia 4-1 at Porto’s Estadio do Dragao.
Read the full piece on Portugal's selection dilemma here
02:39 PMA reminder that there will be over 60,000 fans at the Puskas Arena today
A reminder that there will be over 60,000 fans at the Puskas Arena today
The stadium in Budapest is the only Euro 2020 venue which is allowing full capacity during the tournament. It should be quite the atmosphere today as the Hungarian fans try to lift their side against a strong Portugal squad.
02:29 PMCristiano Ronaldo has been making news today ahead of kick-off...
Cristiano Ronaldo has been making news today ahead of kick-off...
Ronaldo has been praised by anti-obesity campaigners for removing two bottles of Coca-Cola during a European Championship press conference before declaring: “Drink water.”
Ronaldo’s public show of disdain for one of the biggest sponsors of the tournament has gone viral on social media, forcing Uefa to consider whether to continue to place the products in front of one of the world’s greatest players.
02:18 PMThe atmosphere is already building nicely in Budapest!
02:06 PMGood afternoon, can Hungary cause an upset against Portugal?
The atmosphere is already building nicely in Budapest!
02:06 PMGood afternoon, can Hungary cause an upset against Portugal?
Good afternoon, can Hungary cause an upset against Portugal?
Hungary need cohesion, discipline and a fair bit of luck against defending champions Portugal if they are to make a good start to their Euro 2020 Group F campaign, coach Marco Rossi said on Monday.
Hungary are playing in their second consecutive Euros after failing to qualify for any major tournament for three decades, and they are clear underdogs in a group that also includes world champions France and perennial powerhouse Germany.
Asked which Portuguese player Hungary will be most concerned about on Tuesday, Rossi laughed.
"I could almost list the entire squad," he told reporters. "I could just be the kit man or one of the ground staff for them... Naming one player would be a disservice to the others. They have huge potential in all areas of the pitch."
He said the Portuguese frontline was perhaps the most formidable, with world-class players in the starting lineup and on the bench.
"We need to help one another out, we need to make sure we're very compact, and close down the space between the lines. And I hope that we can also have that rub-of-the-green bit of fortune that is very important if you were to have a positive result," he said.
Hungary rely on a robust defence and counter-attacks. Fewer big names in their squad means the team may be fresher than opponents who have played full seasons in big domestic and international tournaments.
Bundesliga stalwarts like Leipzig goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi do play for Hungary, tough opponents even without their most valuable player, Dominik Szoboszlai.
"We are well aware of the group we are in," added forward Adam Szalai, Hungary's captain and their most-capped current player with 70 international appearances.
"We need to execute our strategy, especially on defence, because this Portuguese team is stronger even than the 2016 one," he said.
Hungary and Portugal played one of the most exciting group matches at Euro 2016, with Hungary leading three times and Portugal equalising on each occasion including two goals by Cristiano Ronaldo.
Hungary finished top of the group before losing 4-0 to Belgium in the round of 16 while Portugal won the title.
One factor in Hungary's favour may be a jam-packed Puskas Arena, the only Euro 2020 venue which allows full capacity.
Reuters