France and Portugal played out a thrilling 2-2 draw in Budapest as Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice each, with France securing top spot in EURO 2020 Group F while Portugal still qualified for the last 16 as one of four best third-place finishers.
Ronaldo was handed his first opportunity from 12 yards when Hugo Lloris clattered midfielder Danilo while trying to claim a high free-kick, and the referee pointed to the spot for a penalty. The Portuguese skipper made no mistake and put his side ahead.
France had been below par but were gifted a equaliser in first-half stoppage time after Nelson Semedo had been harshly penalised for a foul on Kylian Mbappe. Benzema stepped up and put the ball in the back of the net. The scoreline was 1-1 at halftime.
Benzema struck again immediately after the restart, slotting home via the post after being brilliantly found by Paul Pogba. The goal was initially ruled out for offisde, but VAR confirmed the Real Madrid striker had been level.
Portugal continued to press and create more chances after going behind, as they faced possible elimination from the tournament.
Portugal’s second penalty came about when Jules Kounde was adjudged to have handballed Ronaldo’s attempted cross in the area and the skipper stepped up once more. France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris was well beaten as Ronaldo sent him the other side to make the scores 2-2.
Ronaldo’s goals, the 108th and 109th of his Portugal career, saw the Juventus star draw level with Ali Daei’s all-time international goalscoring record and took his tally for the tournament to five.
France went closest to winning it, with Rui Patricio producing a brilliant double save to deny both Pogba and Antoine Griezmann, but as news filtered through of Germany’s equaliser against Hungary in the group’s other fixture, both sides were happy to see out the final minutes with qualification assured.
The 2-2 result means France top Group F and will face Switzerland in the last-16, while Portugal finish as one of the four best third-placed teams and now face a tough tie against Belgium. Germany, who finished second after drawing 2-2 with Hungary in Munich, will play England at Wembley.
Euro 2020 results
Slovakia 0-5 Spain
Sweden 3-2 Poland
Germany 2-2 Hungary
Portugal 2-2 France
