Portugal and Hungary produce the match of the tournament at Euro 2016 in Lyon on Wednesday afternoon.
Both sides secured safe passage into the round of 16 with a thrilling 3-3 draw at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais.
Hungary opened the scoring in the 19th minute through Zoltan Gera, who sent a blistering shot into the bottom-right part of the goal. The ball dropped to Gera on the fringe of the penalty area after Portugal failed to clear a corner kick.
It took Portugal 23 minutes to move back on level terms as Nani sent a strike into the left part of the net in the 42nd minute. Nani received a brilliant pass from his former club teammate Cristiano Ronaldo as he cut into the left side of the box to beat Gabor Kiraly.
The second half started with a flurry of goals from Balasz Dzsudszak and Ronaldo. Dzsudszak put Hungary back ahead in the 47th minute as his free kick deflected off the shoulder of Andre Gomes and past Rui Patricio.
Ronaldo announced his arrival at the tournament three minutes later as he produced a ridiculous backheel finish from close range to become the first player to score in four European Championships.
Dzsudszak, who plays for Bursaspor in Turkey, delivered his second tally of the contest in the 55th minute. The midfielder sent his initial free kick into the wall, but he received the rebound and proceeded to cut inside from the right. The strike 29-year-old’s strike from the right corner of the penalty area took a deflection on its way past Patricio.
Ronaldo answered with a second goal of his own in the 62nd minute as he launched himself in the air to nod a cross from Joao Mario past Kiraly. Joao Mario also assisted on Ronaldo’s first goal.
Hungary almost provided a quick response to Ronaldo’s second, but Akos Elek sent his attempt from the left side of the box off the left upright in the 64th minute.
Ronaldo and substitute Ricardo Quaresma created a few chances for Portugal in the closing stages of the second half, but no one was able to break the deadlock.
The draw put Hungary on top of Group F with five points, while Portugal finished third after Iceland’s dramatic 2-1 win over Austria. Hungary will play the runner-up of Group E in the round of 16, while Portugal takes on Croatia in the next round.
MAN OF THE MATCH
After struggling to gain a foothold in the tournament, Ronaldo came to life with a pair of goals and an assist in the wild six-goal affair in Lyon. The performance saved Portugal from a second straight embarrassing early exit at a major tournament.
MOMENT OF THE MATCH
Both of Ronaldo’s second-half tallies were meaningful, but his second one officially secured Portugal’s spot in the knockout round. The headed strike from the Real Madrid man was a needed response after Hungary collected all the momentum after Dzsudszak’s second goal.
MATCH TO FORGET
Kiraly started strong in net for Hungary, but he was caught out of position on all three of the Portugal strikes. His worst moment came on Nani’s opener as he failed to cover the near post as the Fenerbahce man darted into the box.
Once again Portugal under achieves. With the players they have they should have won this group.