Portugal Captain surpasses Michel Platini as European record goals scorer with his brace against Hungary at Euro 2020 opener. He broke the nine goals record of Platini after converting an 87th-minute penalty for his 10th goal in the competition.
His 11th goal came only a few minutes later when he set up the move and swerves around Hungary goalkeeper Gulacsi for Portugal’s third.
Raphael Guerreiro broke the deadlock for Portugal in the 84th minutes with his shot with a massive deflection on defender Willi Orban to break Hungary’s resistance.
As it happened
Defensive champions, whose starting 11 included six premier league players, created the best chances in the first half. Diogo Jota had a frustrating first half with 2 shots denied by Gulacsi in the 5th and 40th minutes of the game. Another great chance fell to the Portuguese talisman in the 43rd minute, when he fired over a clinical cross from Bruno Fernandes.
Hungary shown good intensity without the ball tried a few long-range shots straight to Rui Patricio in the second half. While Gulacsi kept denying Portugal’s attacks.
However, the home side thought they scored when substitute Szabolcs Schon squeezed a shot in at the near post, but the goal was correctly ruled out for offside.
Portugal, however, still restlessly trying for chances, found their fortunate breakthrough just after few minutes of Schon’s disallowed goal.
Rafa Silva got down the right and cross to Guerreiro who is on the edge of the box. The left-back strikes at the goal but with a wicked deflection roll into the corner of the goal.
Then Ronaldo – who became the first man to play in five different Euros – took center stage as he broke the tournament goalscoring record with his 10th goal in the competition proper, emphatically dispatching a penalty after Willi Orban had brought down Rafa Silva.
Two minutes in extra time Ronaldo and Rafa silva set up a beautiful team game and scored Portugal’s third and Ronaldo’s second when he rounds Peter Gulasci to tap home.
The result looked comprehensive, but Portugal had to work hard to defeat their opponents in front of the biggest attendance of the tournament so far.
What was said?
Portugal boss Santos reflects on an exhilarating finish from his side.
“The Hungarians were strong and tall in front of their gates, so our passes were ineffective, so we needed sharper passes and more movement. We played better in the first half, we played football more nervously in the second, yet that’s when we found our way.”
Marco Rossi said he is disappointed with the result.
“We were happy with the game for the 83rd minute, but then, unfortunately, we got 3 goals. Maybe it was my fault that we risked too much, keeping up is the most important thing in these situations. I’m not sad about the performance, but I’m disappointed with the result.”
On picking up his Star of the Match award Cristiano said:
“The important thing was to win. It was a difficult game, against an opponent who defended very well, but we scored three goals, and I am very grateful to the team for helping me to score two goals and being the Star of the Match.”
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What next?
Hungary stays in Budapest and plays France on Saturday before Portugal faces Germany in Munich.
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