Cristiano Ronaldo saved Portugal when they were looking likely to suffer elimination from the European Championship. Three moments of genius from three-time World Player of the Year rescued his team, who are still without a win, during a hectic match against Hungary in Group F that finished with Portugal progressing to the round of 16. Meanwhile, Iceland secured their place in the knockout rounds with a just as gripping 2-1 win over Austria.
The highlight of Ronaldo’s outstanding performance was his amazing goal to bring Portugal back level at 2-2 in the 50th minute. The Real Madrid superstar needed to use all of his abilities against an offensively strong Hungary team. His pass for Nani’s first equaliser and his header to round off the scoring in the 62nd minute secured Portugal a last 16 tie with Croatia in Lens on Saturday.
Bernd Storck’s Hungary team, who took the lead three times in Lyon through Zoltán Gera and two goals from Balázs Dzsudzsák, will face second from Group E after progressing as winners of Group F. Iceland will take on England in the round of 16 after goals from FC Kaiserslautern’s Jón Bödvarsson and Arnor Ingvi Traustason allowed them to overcome Austria, who had equalised in the 60th minute through Alessandro Schöpf.
While EURO new boys Iceland progressed to the knockout round unbeaten in the group stage, Austria suffered a bitter disappointment. Aleksandar Dragovic hit the post from a penalty and despite their ultra-attacking style throughout the second half, Austria were unable to build on Schöpf’s equaliser, as Iceland held them off with a bit of luck, skill and help from their goalkeeper Hannes Halldorsson.
Cristiano Ronaldo saved Portugal when they were looking likely to suffer elimination from the European Championship. Three moments of genius from three-time World Player of the Year rescued his team, who are still without a win, during a hectic match against Hungary in Group F that finished with Portugal progressing to the round of 16. Meanwhile, Iceland secured their place in the knockout rounds with a just as gripping 2-1 win over Austria.
The highlight of Ronaldo’s outstanding performance was his amazing goal to bring Portugal back level at 2-2 in the 50th minute. The Real Madrid superstar needed to use all of his abilities against an offensively strong Hungary team. His pass for Nani’s first equaliser and his header to round off the scoring in the 62nd minute secured Portugal a last 16 tie with Croatia in Lens on Saturday.
Bernd Storck’s Hungary team, who took the lead three times in Lyon through Zoltán Gera and two goals from Balázs Dzsudzsák, will face second from Group E after progressing as winners of Group F. Iceland will take on England in the round of 16 after goals from FC Kaiserslautern’s Jón Bödvarsson and Arnor Ingvi Traustason allowed them to overcome Austria, who had equalised in the 60th minute through Alessandro Schöpf.
While EURO new boys Iceland progressed to the knockout round unbeaten in the group stage, Austria suffered a bitter disappointment. Aleksandar Dragovic hit the post from a penalty and despite their ultra-attacking style throughout the second half, Austria were unable to build on Schöpf’s equaliser, as Iceland held them off with a bit of luck, skill and help from their goalkeeper Hannes Halldorsson.
