Euro 2020: Portugal beat Hungary in front of more than 60,000 fans – Ronaldo scored a double

As a blatant outsider, the Hungarians wanted to annoy the favourites and European champions Portugal – as they did at EM 2016 when they split 3:3. The “host side” were assisted by nearly 67,000 spectators at Budapest’s completely sold-out Ferenc Puskás stadium, who had been highly supportive from the start.

Unaffected by this, Portugal dominated the game early on and fired their first warning shot past RB Leipzig goalkeeper Peter Gulacci just over four minutes later. However, the 31-year-old managed to dodge Diogo Jota’s left shot from 16 meters (5).

Portugal put Hungary, which had been eagerly defending, under constant pressure. However, Fernando Santos’ side has been in pain sometimes with Marco Rossi’s side. Hungary defended with eleven men and made the rooms cramped.

In the 27th minute of the match, Cristiano Ronaldo recovered the ball through counter-pressure and quickly put it in the hands of Bernardo Silva. Hungary captain and German Bundesliga legionnaire Willy Orban was on the spot and spitting fair skin with heels in a risky act in his penalty area (27th position).

The approach of the first goal for the hosts came less than ten minutes before the end of the first half when ádám Szalai hit a direct free kick from Roland Sallai in the arms of Rui Patricio (36). Shortly thereafter, referee Cüneyt Cakir cautioned defender Ruben Dias for a foul on Bremer’s Laszlo Kleinheisler (38).

Before the end of the first half, the match came back again: Gulaxi first brilliantly saved a shot from Bernardo Silva from the round (40), then Ronaldo missed from a distance of five meters and chased the ball over the crossbar (43). The Hungarians fled to the cabin with one black eye.

Shortly after the break, it was veteran Pepe who put Gulakshi to the test after a corner kick. The Hungarian goalkeeper was there again, fell to the right and shot the header from the corner (47).

Portugal had better chances, but the Hungarians gradually made their way into the match with encouragement from the stands. But in the attack, not much was achieved. Szalai (50th) and Sallai (57th) both tried from distance, but the shots came very centrally and it wasn’t a problem for Rui Patricio.

On the other hand, it was much more difficult to keep Bruno Fernandez’s attempt at distance, but again the Hungary goalkeeper made himself long and prevented a deficit (68). However, Santos responded by not penetrating his attack and exchanged the win in the 71st minute with Rafa Silva of Lisbon’s Benfica. Shaun’s offside goal didn’t change anything, as he caused his alleged 1-0 explosion in the 80th minute on the field for a short period.

After 13 minutes of the switch, a pass from Rafael mentioned above rebounded to Rafael Guerrero, who Orban turned into his team’s goal (84). Hungary is finally cracked.

Then events turned. Shortly after the lead, the best Joker Urban Rafa fell into the penalty area by pulling his right arm. Cáquer pointed out the point, Ronaldo went up and hit the ball into the right corner to make it 2-0 for the best (86).

The last point was again the star of Portugal. After a double and two with Rafa, CR7 rounded Gulácsi and rushed to make the score 3-0 (90+2).

Game sounds:

Peter Gulassi (Hungary): “With a bit of luck we could even score a point. It would have been great. We’ll try again on Saturday.”

Zapolex Schon (Hungary): “My childhood dream came true to participate in the European Championship in front of 65,000 spectators.”

Tweet about the game:

European Championships Premiere: Budapest Ferenc Puskas Stadium is sold out! Nearly 67,000 fans have created what is probably the most exciting football atmosphere since the start of the pandemic. Either on the field or on the way there.

Observed: Rafa revives Portugal’s attack, Hungary’s will is too little

As expected, Hungary was permanently halfway through, defending en masse and making space tight. Portugal let the ball go and always get it back with a quick counter-press if the ball is lost.

Even the offensive circle from the outside couldn’t provide comfort and seemed unimaginable. Neither Mainz Szalai nor Freiburg Sallai could secure the few balls forward. In addition, there was a lack of support from the midfield. Thanks to Gualacci and Ronaldo’s lack of precision, the superior Portuguese didn’t enter at the end of the first half by a wide margin.

Due to the large proportions of the match, the resulting chances were very few, which is also due to the partly fixed match of the Portuguese. Rarely has the reigning European champion been able to create the necessary depth and thus contrast as well. It came with a substitution for Rafa Silva. Joker set up Lisbon’s Benfica 1-0, brought the penalty kick to 2-0 and worked in stoppage time for Ronaldo’s second goal.

Statistics: 3

A late double kick in three minutes gave the defending champion a successful start to the tournament after a mixed performance.