Euro 2020: Ronaldo equals intl scoring record as Portugal edge into last 16
Updated On: 24 June, 2021 07:28 AM IST | Budapest | AFP
The 36-year-old`s fifth goal of the group stage extended his record tally of Euro goals to 14 and drew him level with former Iran striker Ali Daei, in his 178th international match.
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Portugal`s forward Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring a penalty kick during the UEFA EURO 2020 Group F football match between Portugal and France at Puskas Arena in Budapest. Pic/AFP
Cristiano Ronaldo scored two penalties to equal the all-time international goalscoring record and help holders Portugal edge into the last 16 of Euro 2020 with a 2-2 draw against France in Budapest on Wednesday. Portugal will face the world`s top-ranked side Belgium in the first knockout round in Seville on Sunday. Fernando Santos` men moved through as one of the four best third-placed sides, for the second straight Euro, from Group F behind France and Germany, who only just qualified after a dramatic 2-2 draw with Hungary in Munich. "We did everything I wanted us to do (in the 4-2 defeat) against Germany," Portuguese coach Santos told RTP. "The result was clearly fair." Ronaldo gave his side the lead just after the half-hour mark with his first spot-kick, before France hit back through Karim Benzema`s two goals either side of half-time. But, with Portugal heading out as it stood with Hungary leading Germany, Ronaldo helped win and then scored their second penalty with half an hour remaining.
The 36-year-old`s fifth goal of the group stage extended his record tally of Euro goals to 14 and drew him level with former Iran striker Ali Daei, in his 178th international match. World champions France will next take on Switzerland in Bucharest on Monday. "It was a fight, it wasn`t easy," France coach Didier Deschamps told TF1. "We tried to win and at the end of the match, obviously, knowing the result of Germany, that allowed us to be first, which is the best place. "I know very well that a new competition will be starting from the last 16." The first real chance of the game fell to France forward Kylian Mbappe after quarter of an hour, but the 22-year-old`s wait for a Euro goal was extended by Rui Patricio`s parried save. But it was Portugal who made the breakthrough, as they were awarded a 31st-minute penalty as France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris tried to punch the ball away, but instead caught Danilo Pereira in the face, leaving the Portugal midfielder needing treatment on the pitch. Ronaldo stepped up, sending Lloris the wrong way.
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