Written by Ahan Bhansali
The UEFA Euro Cup 2020 noticed Group F aka ‘The Group of Death’ stay as much as its title in an intense efficiency at Budapest’s Puskas Arena late on Wednesday night. Defending champions Portugal took on World Cup winners France, however a 2–2 draw noticed each groups chasing Germany to the much-anticipated Round of 16. Here are some key moments of the sport:
Ronaldo sends Portugal to the highest
As Portugal’s Joao Moutinho curled in a freekick, captain Hugo Lloris stepped out of his line to punch the ball. At the identical time, Loris caught Danilo within the face, who instantly fell to the bottom, and was seen mendacity within the penalty field for a number of minutes. Lloris was booked, and in a extremely controversial resolution, Portugal had been awarded a penalty simply 27 minutes into the sport. In an iconic second, Cristiano Ronaldo drilled the ball into the left nook, sending Lloris the fallacious means. Ronaldo has made historical past with each match this season and already stands because the all-time highest goalscorer at Euros. With this penalty, Ronaldo despatched Portugal to the highest of the Group F desk.
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal celebrates after scoring his aspect’s second aim throughout the Euro 2020 Championship Group F match between Portugal and France at Puskas Arena in Budapest, Wednesday, June 23, 2021. (Pool Photo through Bernadette Szabo, AP)
benzema’s equalizer
As the sport neared the top of the primary half, extra motion began to happen on the finish of Portugal, this time. In what initially appeared a mushy problem, Portugal right-back Nelson Semedo despatched Mbappe to the bottom a meter away from aim. Spanish referee Antonio Lahoz instantly awarded a extremely controversial penalty to France, and it was now Portugal’s flip to complain, because the crimson shirt floated across the referee in motion. There was a VAR examine, however the referee’s name was profitable, bringing new hope to the French aspect. Karim Benzema stepped as much as take the pen, and a shock end supplied France with a much-needed equalizer. Benzema recorded his first aim on the European Championships, and an entire change within the dynamics of ‘The Group of Death’ despatched the World Champions, France, again on high a minute earlier than half-time.
group’s first
Happy for two targets, there’s nonetheless a protracted option to go… Focused #allezlesbleus #let’s go Coal pic.twitter.com/ZKg67kLXDr— Karim Benzema (@benjema) 23 June 2021
Goal or no goal?
Pogba performed a fantastically loaded ball behind Benzema simply minutes into the second half. In a dramatic second, Benzema despatched the ball large to Patricio, ending within the far nook from 8 yards. However, their celebration was short-lived because the flag for offside was stuffed with confidence from the assistant referee. However, it appeared shut. A fast VAR examine went in favor of France, and Benzema, surprised, noticed himself attaining one other aim for his nation. The aim registered Benzema because the oldest participant to attain greater than as soon as in a serious match match for France, overtaking soccer icon Zinedine Zidane. France’s lead meant Portugal was hovering close to the exit on this exhilarating Group F matchup.
captain cool
Portugal as soon as once more moved nearer to the penalty space, and in a feeble try to dam a Ronaldo cross, French right-back Jules Condé threw the ball out of his hand. The VAR examine confirmed the handball and Portugal scored one other penalty within the 58th minute. Ronaldo stepped up as soon as once more, sending the ball previous France’s internet in a historic second. With this penalty, Ronaldo scored his 109th aim within the nationwide colours, equaling Ali Dye’s all-time worldwide goal-scoring report. This aim additionally meant that Portugal v France grew to become the primary sport within the historical past of the European Championship to see 3 penalties (exterior shootouts). Portugal’s equalizer noticed the Group F desk reshuffle once more; It had already modified a complete of 4 occasions in an hour within the match.
Patricio retains Portugal alive
Both groups had been degree, and the play within the second matchup between Germany and Hungary meant that anybody may high the desk. However, France had established their dominance from almost 25 yards in a 68th-minute banger by Pogba, which was fantastically stopped by the Wolves keeper in an arm blinder towards the publish. Seconds later Portugal’s Patricio was again on his ft and pulled off one other shock block towards Griezmann’s strike on a rebound, holding Portugal alive by way of this late French scare.
A dramatic night in Budapest noticed each France and Portugal progress to the Round of 16, ending with a 2–2 end.
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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
