Record-equalling Ronaldo saves Portugal as Germany avoid shock Euro 2020 exit

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Pulse-gh June 24, 2021 12:43 a.m.

Record-equalling Ronaldo saves Portugal as Germany avoid shock Euro 2020 exit

The Portugal captain netted a pair of penalties in a 2-2 draw with world champions France in Budapest to send his team through as one of the four best third-placed sides on a dramatic night in Group F.

Germany needed an 84th-minute equaliser from Leon Goretzka to rescue a nervy 2-2 draw with Hungary in Munich, setting up a heavyweight showdown with England at Wembley next week.

Spain had drawn their first two matches in the competition despite having home advantage in Seville, but coach Luis Enrique warned on the eve of facing Slovakia that his team were "like a bottle of cava that is about to be uncorked".

"We made mistakes but fought and showed superb morale," said Germany coach Joachim Loew.

"We did everything I wanted us to do (in the 4-2 defeat) against Germany," Portuguese coach Fernando Santos told RTP.

His fifth goal of the group stage extended his record tally of Euro goals to 14 and drew him level with former Iran striker Ali Daei, in his 178th international match.

"It was a fight, it wasn't easy," France coach Didier Deschamps told TF1.

Adam Szalai gave Hungary a shock early lead and although Germany drew level through Kai Havertz in the second half, Andras Schaefer soon put the visitors back in front, only to be eliminated by Goretzka's late goal.

Just minutes before kick-off at Munich's Allianz Arena, a fan wearing a Germany shirt and waving a large rainbow flag evaded security to invade the pitch, running in front of the lined-up teams before being tackled by stewards and led away.

Meanwhile those results allowed Ukraine -- who played their final Group C game on Monday -- to go through as one of the best third-placed teams.

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