At the pace of a final like at Euro 2016, France and Portugal delivered this Wednesday, June 23, 2021 a fratricidal confrontation which ended in the score of parity of 2-2, with the key, a Cristiano Ronaldo author of a double who delivered the Seleçao from the French trap on a double from his former teammate Karim Benzema.
It is at the mythical Puskás Aréna Stadium in Budapest that this show rich in emotion, in memory of the final of Euro 2016 but characterized by penalties on both sides, therefore took place. On the one hand, France was not only looking for success to finish at the top of the standings but also to take revenge for this final lost against the Portuguese at the end of the line. On the other hand, the Seleçãõ were obliged not to lose at the risk of being eliminated.
And it was the Portuguese who opened the scoring first thanks to his captain and top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo on a penalty kick in the 31st minute of play. The French woke up and equalized in extra time thanks to Karim Benzema also on the penalty spot which marked his first goal for the euro and his very first since his return to the national team after a 7-year absence. 1-1 is the result at half-time.
Just on the return of the lemons, Karim Benzema well found in the depth by Paul Pogba, doubled the house on a cross shot, leaving no chance for Rui Patricio. This goal in the 47th minute, synonymous with a double from the Real Madrid striker, gave the blues back the advantage. But the famous referee of major events Matteo Lahos, waited for the decision of the VAR to give his agreement after verification.
The Portuguese under pressure, finally get a second penalty. The center of Cristiano Ronaldo is countered by the hand of Jules Koundé in the large rectangle and the referee is quick to whistle a penalty in favor of the defending champion.
CR7 of a perfect opposite, sets the clock on time in the 60th minute of play, a goal that frees the Portuguese from the French trap. While the tension of this meeting was noticeably lower, Bruno Fernandes made the fault in the box on Kingsley Coman who took over the playing master of Manchester United. But the referee whistles a goal kick. A relief for the Portuguese lacking rhythm.
In the end, the two teams neutralize each other with a score of 2-2. France finished at the top of Group F with 5 points, followed by Portugal and Germany with 4 points and Hungary closed with a unity.
Theo Liko
