Cristiano Ronaldo after scoring for Portugal

Portugal started their Euro 2020 campaign with a 3-0 victory over Hungary, including goals from Raphael Guerreiro and Cristiano Ronaldo. The Hungarians put up a gallant fight against the defending champions, but Guerreiro and Ronaldo scored late goals to give Fernando Santos’ side all three points.

Portugal made a strong start to the game, creating multiple chances to score in the first half. During the opening 45 minutes of the game, Diogo Jota appeared to be Portugal’s biggest attacking danger, forcing Peter Gulacsi to make a couple of excellent stops.

Cristiano Ronaldo had the finest chance of the first half, but he blasted his attempt from four yards out over the crossbar.

Pepe came close to scoring with a wonderful header in the first two minutes of the second half, but Gulacsi saved his effort. Bruno Fernandes’ long-range shot forced the Hungarian goalie to make another save.

Portugal controlled the game for the entire of the second half, but they were unable to break down Hungary’s tenacious defense. With six minutes of regular time remaining, Raphael Guerreiro finally broke the deadlock for his team, before Cristiano Ronaldo netted a brace to give his team the three points.

Cristiano Ronaldo becomes the all-time leading goalscorer in the European Championships

With his late brace against Hungary, Cristiano Ronaldo became the all-time leading goalscorer in the men’s European Championship. The Portuguese striker scored his tenth goal of the competition from the penalty spot, surpassing France’s Michel Platini, who had nine goals.

Just a few minutes later, the 37-year-old took the ball around Peter Gulacsi and buried it in the back of the net to give his team an important victory.

Player Ratings

Hungary: Gulacsi (8), Botka (6), Orban (7), A. Szalai (7), Lovrencsics (6), Kleinheisler (7), Nagy (6), Schafer (7), Fiola (6), Szalai (6), Sallai (6).

Subs: Nego (5), Siger (5), Schon (6).

Portugal: Patricio (7), Semedo (6), Dias (7), Pepe (8), Guerreiro (7), Danilo (6), Carvalho (6), Fernandes (6), Ronaldo (8), Jota (6), B. Silva (6).

Subs: Rafa Silva (5), Sanches (n/a)

Man of the Match: Cristiano Ronaldo.

By Clive Banda

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