This must have been the most exciting final group matches in a long, long, time.
Until the 84th minute Germany looked to be on the way out of Euro 2020, as France - Portugal was all square and Hungary lead taking them to second place in the group
When France was leading and Hungary was leading, Portugal looked to be on the way out Euro 2020 with Germany in 3rd place
In the end, at the final whistle, second placed Hungary was left at the bottom of the group, as order was restored France, Germany and Portugal qualify into the last 16
All this in 90 minutes!
Germany 2-2 Hungary: Goretzka saves Germany
Wednesday 23 June 2021
Die Mannschaft were within six minutes of a shock UEFA EURO 2020 exit until Leon Goretzka's goal denied fearless Hungary.
Leon Goretzka and Joachim Löw after the final whistle in MunichUEFA via Getty Images
Germany's UEFA EURO 2020 future hung in the balance until six minutes from time when a goal from Leon Goretzka saved Joachim Löw's side, and ended Hungary's bold attempt to come through Group
Ádám Szalai after scoring Hungary's openerPOOL/AFP via Getty Images
Dynamic and fluid in their 4-2 win against Portugal, Germany's ardour was dampened by heavy rain in Munich, and they trailed after 11 minutes. Hungary were lightning-quick on the counter, and Ádám Szalai headed them in front, flinging himself at Roland Sallai's superb ball from the right.
The hosts responded sharply; Mats Hummels headed against the crossbar from a Joshua Kimmich corner, and Matthias Ginter then fired straight at Péter Gulácsi from close range. However, Hungary looked to have weathered the storm, Sallai hammering a free-kick against the outside of Manuel Neuer's post just after the hour .
Relief finally came for Germany after Gulácsi failed to pick out a Kimmich free-kick, Hummels nodding the ball on for Kai Havertz to head in from close range. However, they were behind again within 16 seconds of the restart, András Schäfer chasing Szalai's ball through to glance past Neuer.
Things looked very grim indeed for Germany, but salvation came as Jamal Musiala pulled the ball back for Goretzka to tee up Timo Werner. His shot was blocked but dropped kindly for Goretzka to beat Gulácsi.
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France claimed first place in Group F, though Portugal will join them in the round of 16 as one of the best third-placed teams.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema scored two each in BudapestGetty Images
Cristiano Ronaldo dispatched twice from the penalty spot – in yet another night of individual individual records – to cancel out Karim Benzema's double and ensure Portugal advanced to the round of 16 alongside Group F winners France.
Match in brief
France had already confirmed their last-16 spot ahead of the 2016 final repeat, but in greater need of points, Portugal – fresh from a 4-2 loss to Germany – could not afford another defeat.
Cristiano Ronaldo struck twice from the penalty spotGetty Images
In a cagey opening, Ronaldo nevertheless sniffed out a couple of early half chances and it wasn’t long before the Portuguese captain was on the scoresheet after Hugo Lloris felled Danilo, swaggering up to the penalty spot to hammer in on 31 minutes – his first ever goal against Les Bleus.
Sitting deep, Portugal looked comfortable. However, on the stroke of half-time, France struck back. Sent to ground in the Portuguese box, Kylian Mbappé won the second spot kick of the match; Benzema converted with aplomb.
France looked to have turned the game around shortly after the restart, as Benzema squeezed in from Paul Pogba’s impeccable through ball. With Hungary ahead in Munich, Portugal were heading out until Jules Koundé handled the ball inside the area and Ronaldo inevitably fired his side back on terms – extending his EURO all-time scoring record to 14, as well as equalling Ali Daei's all-time international world record of 109 goals.
As the final whistle loomed, Fernando Santos’ side managed cling on to progress with France to the EURO 2020 round of 16 as one of the four best third-place teams.
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