Germany crush Portugal to revive campaign in style

PARIS: Germany breathed life into their Euro 2020 campaign with a stunning 4-2 win over holders Portugal on Saturday in Munich. The day also saw world champions France held by Hungary in Budapest, while Spain played out a second draw in as many games, this time against Poland.

On Saturday Germany claimed a thrilling victory in Munich despite Cristiano Ronaldo moving closer to the all-time international goals record. Joachim Loew’s side knew defeat against Portugal at the Allianz Arena would leave them on the brink of being eliminated already from Group F, following their failure to make it beyond the group phase at the 2018 World Cup.

Ronaldo put Portugal ahead, the 36-year-old scoring a record-extending 12th goal at the European Championship finals, and also his 107th international goal on his 177th appearance for his country.

That leaves him just two away from the all-time international record, set by Ali Daei who scored 109 times for Iran. However, Germany turned things around before half-time as Ruben Dias and Raphael Guerreiro both scored own goals.

Robin Gosens set up Kai Havertz to make it 3-1 just after half-time and then headed in the fourth himself. Jota pulled another one back for Portugal but the defeat jeopardises their chances of making the last 16 just as Germany now have the knockout stage in sight.

“We are allowed to feel a little euphoria,” admitted Germany’s Thomas Mueller. France, the pre-tournament favourites, were thwarted by Hungary in the intense heat and before a hostile crowd of almost 56,000 in Budapest, having to come from behind to draw 1-1.

In the only Euro 2020 venue without restrictions on capacity due to Covid-19, Attila Fiola gave the hosts a shock lead in first-half stoppage time. But Antoine Griezmann, the Golden Boot winner at Euro 2016, equalised on 66 minutes as an unconvincing France avoided a first competitive defeat since June 2019.

Les Bleus top the group with four points, one ahead of Germany and Portugal, with Hungary bottom on one point. France therefore just need a draw when they face Portugal on Wednesday to go through, but the Portuguese are at real risk of being knocked out if they lose and Germany avoid defeat against Hungary.