Saturday. 20.04.2024
PORTUGAL 2-2 FRANCE

Ronaldo record and three penalties in France v Portugal 2-2 at Euros

Portugal advanced as one of the four best third-placed teams into a date with Belgium on Sunday in Seville, as second place went to Germany and now face England at Wembley
23 June 2021, Hungary, Budapest: Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring his side's first goal during the UEFA EURO 2020 Group F soccer match between Portugal and France at the Puskas Arena. Photo: Robert Michael/dpa-Zentralbild/dpa.
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring his side's first goal at the Puskas Arena. Photo: Robert Michael/dpa.

Cristiano Ronaldo equaled the international scoring record with 109 from two goals for title holders Portugal in a 2-2 draw with France on Wednesday that saw them advance into the last 16 along with the world champions.

Ronaldo converted two penalties in a rematch of the Euro 2016 final Portugal had won in Paris, with re-called Karim Benzema also scoring twice for Les Bleus.

Benzema's first came from the spot as well and according to statisticians Opta it was the first match at the Euros with three converted penalties outside shootouts.

Ronaldo drew level with 109 goals with Iran's Ali Daei. He is now the record scorer at World Cups and Euros with 21 goals, two more than German Miroslav Klose, now has a record-extending 14 goals at the Euros overall and five at this tournament.

France, already assured of a last 16 berth before the game, won tough Group F with five points and play Switzerland in Bucharest on Monday.

Portugal advanced as one of the four best third-placed teams - like in 2016 - into a date with Belgium on Sunday in Seville, as second place went to Germany because they beat Portugal 4-2 on Saturday and now face England at Wembley.

23 June 2021, Hungary, Budapest: France's Karim Benzema scores his side's first goal during the UEFA EURO 2020 Group F soccer match between Portugal and France at the Puskas Arena. Photo: Robert Michael/dpa-Zentralbild/dpa.France's Karim Benzema scores his side's first goal. Photo: Robert Michael/dpa.

"Our team today was strong and consistent throughout the game. We had possession and created chances. We are a strong team but there are some areas where we can improve," Portugal coach Fernando Santos said.

France coach Didier Deschamps said: "We are first in this complicated group. It was an insane match that went in various directions. Our team showed good quality. I am satisfied and looking forward to the next match."

Portugal had an early header from Ronaldo which went straight into Hugo Lloris' arms while on the other end Paul Pogba superbly fed Kylian Mbappe whose shot from the edge of the area was saved well by Rui Patricio.

In the 27th, Lloris came too late to meet a free-kick and hit Danilo Pereira in the face with his fist, knocking the Portugal player down and conceding a penalty which Ronaldo calmly converted into the bottom left corner.

23 June 2021, Hungary, Budapest: Portugal's Renato Sanches (L) and France's Corentin Tolisso battle for the ball during the UEFA EURO 2020 Group F soccer match between Portugal and France at the Puskas Arena. Photo: Robert Michael/dpa-Zentralbild/dpa.Portugal's Renato Sanches (L) and France's Corentin Tolisso battle for the ball. Photo: Robert Michael/dpa.

'Penalty madness'

The goal rattled the French but then got a penalty themselves shortly before half-time, a seemingly soft decision from Spanish referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz after Mbappe fell from Nelson Semedo's outstretched arm after another pass from Pogba.

Benzema was as convincing as Ronaldo as he also aimed for the left corner to level the match on the stroke of half-time with his first goal since October 2015.

Both penalties stood after checks from the video assistant referee, and VAR was used again in the 47th and confirmed that the Real Madrid striker Benzema was just onside when he took up a defence-splitting high ball from Pogba to make it 2-1 in off the far left post.

The next check came soon as the penalty madness continued when Ronaldo's attempted cross hit the arm of Jules Kounde, and Ronaldo chose the left corner again to equal the world record in the 59th.

France were almost ahead again nine minutes later but Rui Patricio managed to palm a long-range blast from Pogba against the crossbar and then also saved from Antoine Griezmann on the rebound.

Ronaldo record and three penalties in France v Portugal 2-2 at Euros