Euro 2020 Round Up: Ronaldo brace late as Portugal down Hungary; Clever France edge Germany in Munich

Tuesday’s Euro 2020 fixtures featured the three giants Portugal, France and Germany open their campaign in the group stages of the major tournament.

The eagerly anticipated fixtures saw Portugal getting their European Championship defence off to a winning start with a 3-0 victory over Hungary in Budapest.

France lived up to expectations in their opening fixture, as the world champions toppled Germany put them in a strong position in a group deemed by many as the ‘group of death’, Group F.

We begin today’s episode reliving the glorious and inglorious moments from Day 5. 

RESULTS 

GROUP F 

Hungary 0 – 3 Portugal

Germany 0 – 1 France

Ronaldo makes EUROs history as Portugal down Hungary

Portugal’s Captain, Cristiano Ronaldo scored two late, record-breaking goals to show supremacy over a resilient Hungary side.

Ronaldo made it to the top of the European Championship’s all-time scoring chart, with his 11 goals now putting him two clear of French legend Michel Platini.

Hungary showed that they will be no pushover in the ‘group of death’, with the deadlock in their opening tie against the defending champions only broken in the 84th minute.

Clever France topple Germany in Munich

A tactically too clever French side were smart for the Germans as the Die Mannschaft (The Team) just couldn’t find a way through.

An own goal from Mats Hummels in the first half was enough for France to seal a tight win over Germany in their opening game of Euro 2020 in Munich.

Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema had goals ruled out for offside after the break, but it mattered little in the end as world champions France took three precious points at the Allianz Arena.

Germany tried to retaliate, but France played smart to keep them at bay.

GROUP F Standings

With France securing all three points on the night Group F opener, the Portuguese and French now sit pretty in the ‘group of death’ as the Hungarians and Germans now face a tough task to qualify for the knockout phase.

WEDNESDAY’S PREVIEW

Group A: Finland vs Russia –  Krestovsky Stadium, Russia 1PM

Buoyed by victory over Denmark in its major competition debut, Finland will go up against Russians who are without a win in their last six games at Euros.

Russia is handed a last home advantage to repeat World Cup heroics at Euro 2020.

Russia have won all four games against Finland.

 Group A: Turkey vs Wales –  Baku Olympic Stadium, Azerbaijan 4PM

Turkey will hope to improve on their performance against Italy, where they failed to supply striker Burak Yilmaz with scoring chances.

Wales on the other hand, are encouraged by their headband hero Kieffer Moore’s showing in the 1-1 opening draw with Switzerland. The nations haven’t played each other since Hakan Sukur scored four in a 6-4 Turkey win in 1997.

Wales have won 3 of their 6 meetings with Turkey.

Group A: Italy vs Switzerland – Stadio Olimpico, Rome 7PM

Handed a second home advantage, Italy will be looking to tie up their place in the Euro 2020 knockout phase when they welcome Switzerland to the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

With striker Ciro Immobile starting the tournament in scoring form, the Azzuri will be optimistic of sealing their place a victory over their northern neighbours, who have won only two of their 14 European Championship games.

Roberto Mancini’s side are making their ninth appearance at the European Championships and are now unbeaten in 28 matches, last losing in November 2018 to Portugal, and posted a clear warning to Europe’s other leading sides with a dominant display in their Euro opener against Turkey.

Switzerland have won only two of their 14 EURO finals games.

Acknowledgement: Betway Ghana ( Headline Sponsor)

Mark F. | SilverFM