Hungary 0-3 Portugal: record-breaking Ronaldo’s late double seals victory for holders

Cristiano Ronaldo became the EURO all-time top scorer as Portugal opened their Group F campaign with a 3-0 win against Hungary.

Two late, record-breaking goals from Cristiano Ronaldo set the seal on a 3-0 win for Portugal against Hungary in the opening game of their UEFA EURO 2020 Group F campaign.

Match in brief

Ronaldo might have scored his historic tenth EURO final tournament goal just five minutes in, but Diogo Jota opted against squaring to his captain only for his shot to be saved by Péter Gulácsi. Ronaldo had no such excuse just before the break, however, side-footing over after Bruno Fernandes had fizzed in a cross from the left which meandered its way through to the 36-year-old. International goal No105 would have to wait.

Though Gulácsi was required to keep out Pepe’s header and Bruno’s dipping long-range shot, Hungary grew into the game for much of the second half. Indeed they thought they had won it when Szabolcs Schön squeezed in a shot ten minutes from time only for the offside flag to dampen the celebrations.

Then came the final act. Though Raphaël Guerreiro’s deflected effort opened the floodgates six minutes from time, the evening belonged to only one man. Ronaldo smashed in from the spot to overtake Michel Platini as all-time EURO top scorer and then proceeded to open up a cushion in stylish fashion, rounding Gulácsi and stroking into the net after an intricate move inside the penalty area.

Star of the Match: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)

“For the chances and the goals.”
Corinne Diacre, UEFA Technical Observer

Carlos Machado, Portugal reporter

Of course the result is far better than their performance, but they got the job done with a solid display – and Ronaldo scored twice. So many records broken for him today! Portugal have undoubtedly got off on the right foot.

Andy Clark, Hungary reporter

Marco Rossi said prior to the tournament that he was hoping for good performances, and good results. He got one but not the other today. Hungary were superb to a man and defended like their lives depended on it. Then along came Ronaldo.

Key stats

• Ronaldo now has 11 EURO final tournament goals, 42 including qualifying.
• Ronaldo has scored 106 Portugal goals and is just three away from matching Iran’s Ali Daei as the all-time leading international men’s goalscorer.
• The Portugal captain is also the first player to feature in five EURO final tournaments; this was his 22nd appearance.
• Aged 38 years and 109 days, Pepe became the oldest Portugal player to appear at a EURO.
• Hungary have won only two of their nine EURO final tournament matches.
• Portugal are yet to lose to Hungary in 14 meetings (W10 D4).
• Six of Portugal’s starting XI were part of the UEFA EURO 2016-winning side.

Line-ups

Hungary: Gulácsi; Botka, Orbán, At. Szalai; Ádám Nagy (R. Varga 88); Lovrencsics, Kleinheisler (Sigér), Schäfer (Négo 65), Fiola (K. Varga 88); Ad. Szalai, Sallai (Schön 77)

Portugal: Rui Patrício; Nélson Semedo, Rúben Dias, Pepe, Raphaël Guerreiro; Danilo, William Carvalho (Renato Sanches 81), Bruno Fernandes (Moutinho 89); Ronaldo, Diogo Jota (André Silva 81), Bernardo Silva (Rafa Silva 71)