Euro 2020 Round Up: Germany stun Portugal in comeback win , Hungary hold France in Budapest , Lewandowski earns Polish point

Matchday 9 at Euro 2020 inspired fans with lots of action and surprises as defending Champions, Portugal were stunned by a well-organized German side in an incredible comeback win.

The major tournament also offered a delectable fare when Hungary held 2018 World Cup winners, France to 1-1 draw at packed Puskas Arena.

In Group E, Robert Lewandowski denied Spain a first win at the Euros after a frustrating 1 – 1 stalemate, salvaging a point for the Polish and keep hopes of last 16 qualification alive.

We begin today’s episode reliving the glorious and inglorious moments from Day 9. RESULTS

GROUP F

Hungary 1 -1 France
Portugal 2 – 4 Germany

GROUP E

Spain 1- 1 Poland

SUMMARY

Hungary hold France to 1-1 draw at packed Puskas Arena

A passionate Hungary side proved that they were no easy pushover in UEFA EURO 2020 Group F as they worked hard to hold France in a pulsating second group match in the European Championship on Saturday in Budapest.

Hungary tried to crack open the group deemed by football fans as the ‘Group of Death’ when Attila Fiola opened accounts in first-half stoppage time after catching out a sloppy France defence.

Striker Antoine Griezmann who was making his 50th straight international appearance for France, hit back 21 minutes after restart to cancel out Fiola’s strike to send the 2018 World Cup winners on four points to top Group F and also boost their last 16 qualification.

In the end in front of their own fans Hungary exhibited a resilient performance holding tournament favorites to a 1 – 1 stalemate in a packed Puscas Arena in Budapest.

The results still leaves France on top of Group F with four points, followed by Germany on three points and title holders Portugal also on three and Hungary bottom with a point.

Germany complete incredible comeback to beat Portugal 4-2

The Germans sent a message to the rest of Europe on Saturday night when they stunned holders Portugal with an incredible comeback in an emphatic 6 goal thriller. The bounced back from a goal down to put four past Portugal.

Having lost their opening game against France, Germany were looking for efficiency against Portugal with no goals scored and no points in the standings.

Cristiano Ronaldo signaled his intensions early in the 15th minute; the Portuguese skipper scored his 107th international goal after a swift counter attack but the Germans found their rythm early pushing the defending Champions into their own half.

The pressure paid off with two own goals in the space of five minutes late in the first half, with Kai Havertz’s strike deflecting in by Ruben Dias from six yards followed by Raphael Guerreiro finding his own net from a Joshua Kimmich cut back.

Portugal responded and tried to fight off a well-organized German side but Havertz made it 3-1 before Robin Gosens capped off a fine individual performance by heading in the fourth on the hour.

Portugal substituted Bernardo Silva for Bernato Sanchez at the break whose shot from a long distance hit against the woodwork.  but the damage was done.

The win leaves an open group with Germany on three points behind Group F leaders France with four points, followed by title holders Portugal and Hungary bottom with a point.

Lewandowski denies Spain first Euro 2020 win; earns Polish point

Robert Lewandowski cancelled out Álvaro Morata’s opener to give Poland a draw against Spain at the Estadio La Cartuja.

The Bayern forward kept Poland’s Euro 2020 hopes alive as Spain left to rue missed penalty by Gerard Moreno in Seville.

Spain was in contention of a first win at the Euros after a frustrating goalless opening draw with Sweden.

Morata made a breakthrough for Spain in the 25th minute but Lewandowski equalized with a towering header from Kamil Jozwiak’s cross in the 54th minute.

Four minutes later a Moreno penalty came cannoning off the left-hand post, with Morata missing the rebound and several more second-half chances.

The draw keeps Sweden top of Group E on four points, with Slovakia second with three, Spain third on two points and the Poles bottom with one.

Group E Standings after Game 2

Group F Standings after Game 2

SUNDAY’S PREVIEW

Group A: Italy vs Wales – Stadio Olimpico, Rome 4 PM 

The third set of the 2020 European Championship games starts on Sunday with Italy and Wales playing out their final round of games in Rome.

The Azurris are already assured of progression to the last 16 of Euro 2020 and Wales confident of joining them.

Italy won their two opening games against Turkey and Switzerland and now holds the top spot of Group A summit with 6 points clear ahead of last 16 berth.

Italy’s quality, even with changes, is simply enormous. Wales have done the hard work and will now hope four points does indeed prove enough to see them through to the last 16.

Italy have won seven of their nine meetings with the Welsh and are scoring for fun at this competition. The Dragons, however, have kept nine clean sheets in their last 12 competitive games.

Whoever takes three points, wins Group A.

Italy are through and will top the group if they avoid defeat. Wales will be confirmed in the top two with a draw or if Switzerland fail to beat Turkey, who cannot finish in the top two.

Group A: Switzerland vs Turkey Olympic Stadium, Baku, 4PM

Only a big win will give Switzerland and Turkey a chance of progressing to the last 16 phase.

Turkey left-back Umut Meras will miss the game and could be replaced by Sassuolo’s Mert Muldur.

Turkey have the upper hand when it comes to head-to-head, having won eight of their 15 duels, including the most recent one at Euro 2008 when they came from behind to secure a 2-1 victory.

If Switzerland fail to beat Turkey, who cannot finish in the top two, Wales will be confirmed in the top two with a draw.

Switzerland can finish in the top two if they win and Wales lose against Italy.

Acknowledgement: BetwayGhana (Headline Sponsor)

Mark F. | SilverFM