Hungary vs Portugal match report: Cristiano Ronaldo and Balazs Dzsudzsak trade blows in game of Euro 2016 so far
Hungary 3 Portugal 3
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Your support makes all the difference.When the final whistle blew on a pulsating game here in Lyon it was Portugal again for England, and with Cristiano Ronaldo running into form that seemed ominous. The Portuguese captain’s hitherto miserable tournament seemed to reach a nadir in the morning when he was so aggravated by a TV reporter asking him about Lionel Messi’s latest piece of magic he tossed the offending inquisitor’s microphone into an adjacent lake.
It then looked as if things could get worse as Hungary three times led the mercurial Iberians, sending them out of the tournament at the group stage. Each time Ronaldo, like all great players, stepped up. He made the first equaliser, for Nani, then scored two more, one with a touch of magic. Suddenly Ronaldo was to be feared, not jeered. Look out England.
Then, seconds after play finished here, a goal 300 miles away, for Iceland in Paris, changed everything. Portugal, conquerors of England at Euro 2004, when Wayne Rooney went off injured, and World Cup 2006, when Rooney was sent off, will play someone else.
The focus on Portugal should not distract from another vibrant performance from Hungary who qualified through the play-offs and progress as group winners. Despite resting anyone in danger of suspension they produced another composed but lively performance brimming with attacking pace and desire.
Hungary were already qualified, but needed a point to ensure they won the group and entered the half of the draw without all the World Cup winners. Nevertheless they made five changes, albeit three possibly influenced by the need to avoid a second caution. Portugal, yet to win a match, made two.
It soon became clear that Bernd Storck’s decision not to risk his booked players was the right one as Martin Atkinson waved three yellow cards - all justified - at Hungarian players in the opening half. While not alehouse the Hungarian approach was carelessly firm and that also led to conceding free-kicks. Fortunately for them Ronaldo’s radar has been malfunctioning from set-plays; by the time the half was over he had reached a total of 39 goalless free-kicks in tournaments for Portugal.
Portugal looked more dangerous at corners, but Pepe and Nani headed over when they should have tested Gabor Kiraly. Then Hungary won a corner, Nani’s poor clearing header fell to the veteran Gera, who chested the ball down before driving in a shot through the legs of Ricardo Carvalho.
Gradually Portugal pushed Hungary back, without really threatening, until, with Ronaldo on the ball, Nani made a run and Richard Guzmics went with him, playing him onside. Ronaldo rolled the perfect pass into Nani who beat Kiraly at the near post.
That half, though, was just the appetiser. Within 17 minutes of the resumption four more goals had been scored. Twice Dzsudzsak put Hungary ahead from a free-kick with the aid of a deflection, the first off Andre Gomes’ shoulder, the second, Dzsudzsak following up after first hitting the wall, off Nani’s leg.
Each time Ronaldo levelled. From Joao Mario’s right-wing cross he scored with a delightful back-heel. From Ricardo Quaresma’s left wing cross he struck with a header.
Hungary nearly restored their lead immediately, but Akos Elek rattled the post from Gergo Loverenscics’ cross. Eventually the madness calmed and Hungary decided to settle for a point. By injury time Portugal seemed happy enough with a draw too. After all, they presumably figured, ‘we always beat England’. Now, though, will not get the chance, not yet anyway.
Hungary (4-2-3-1): Kiraly; Lang, Guzmics, Juhasz, Korhut; Gera, Elek; Lovrencsics, Pinter, Dzsudzsak; Szalai.
Substitutes: Bese (Gera, h/t), Nemeth (for Szalai, 71), Stiber (for Lovrencsics, 83)
Portugal (4-4-2): Rui Patricio; Vierinha, Pepe, R Carvalho, Eliseu; Andre Gomes, W Carvalho, Moutinho, Mario; Ronaldo, Nani.
Substitutes: Sanches (for Moutinho, h/t), Quaresma (for Gomes, 61), Danilo (for Nani, 81 )
Referee: M Atkinson
Man of the match: Ronaldo
Match rating: 8
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