Football
Ronaldo makes history as Portugal draw France to reach last 16
Cristiano Ronaldo equalled the all-time international goalscoring record as defending champions Portugal drew with France to qualify for the last 16 of Euro 2020 as one of the best third-placed teams.
Ronaldo scored his 108th and 109th goals, both from the penalty spot, to equal Ali Daei’s record set with Iran between 1993 and 2006.
They came either side of half-time but were not enough to give Portugal victory as striker Karim Benzema broke a six-year goal drought with France to score twice and ensure Les Bleus topped the group.
On a frantic evening, the four teams in Group F changed positions frequently, with Portugal looking set to face England in the next round before Germany’s dramatic late equaliser bumped them from fourth to second and eliminated Hungary.
Ronaldo gave Portugal the lead after Hugo Lloris followed through on Danilo as he attempted to punch away a cross, before Benzema equalised on the brink of half-time after Nelson Semedo was adjudged to have blocked off Kylian Mbappe’s run in the box.
Benzema scored a second immediately after the restart following a stunning pass from Manchester United’s Paul Pogba but Ronaldo drew Portugal level when he won and converted a second penalty 13 minutes later.
The draw in Munich meant Portugal finished in third place based on a head-to-head record, while France topped the group, a point ahead of Germany.
Cristiano Ronaldo is currently the top goalscorer at Euro 2020 with five goals in three games. The match was teed up as a battle of giants and Ronaldo produced the goods as one of the biggest.
His first goal saw him become the outright European top scorer at major tournaments with 20 – overtaking former Germany striker Miroslav Klose – and his second equalled Daei’s record.
He now has 48 goals in his past 45 matches for Portugal and, with five goals in three matches so far at Euro 2020, he leads the race for the Golden Boot.
Portugal face another tough test in the next round, with world number one side Belgium waiting in the last 16, but they showed their threat in this draw with world champions France.
Ronaldo’s ability to score when it matters was demonstrated once again, while experienced defender Pepe showed his guile at the back to thwart Mbappe.
Goalkeeper Rui Patricio also made a vital contribution – brilliantly denying Pogba from long range with a fingertip save, before recovering to palm away Antoine Griezmann’s rebound effort in the second half.
Portugal quietly went through the rounds in 2016 before lifting the title and despite a nervous night in Budapest they remain a threat as the tournament moves into the knockout stages.
