The first target of the Portugal captain’s anger, during a walk in the park hours before the game, was the microphone snatched off a reporter and seemingly thrown into a lake.
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Ronaldo also made history in the process, becoming the first player ever to score in four different European Championships.
Ronaldo showed an array of anguished expressions and gestures as Portugal, needing at least a draw to advance, trailed three times to a Hungary side that already was sure to advance – yet sought to top Group F.
Austria were in the ascendancy after Alessandro Schopf cancelled out Jon Dadi Bodvarsson’s first-half opener, only for Iceland to break in stoppage-time and complete a 2-1 win that propelled them to second in Group F ahead of Portugal.
Hungary topped the group with one win and two draws thanks to superior goal difference against Iceland and Portugal finished third with three draws, setting up a clash against Croatia.
They followed a 1-1 draw against Iceland with a stunning performance in their final group game against Portugal. “Three times we were about to go home”. I like them but I always say that comes naturally.
The reporter also explained that he understands that Ronaldo might not have liked some of the news published about him, but that they are a major newspaper in Portugal and produce a lot of news.
Portugal, who would have faced England but for a stoppage-time victor for Iceland against Austria, have never won a major tournament.
“They probably haven’t played their best game yet in the tournament and they want to show and prove to everybody that they have a good team”, he said. Instead, he turned playmaker to set up Nani for an equalizer just before halftime, 23 minutes after 37-year-old Zoltan Gera had given Hungary 1-0 lead.
“They are a tough team”, Ronaldo said.
Italy played a second string side as they were already through to the last 16 with a repeat of the 2012 final against Spain due on Monday at the Stade de France.
“I don’t think there are many surprises in European football”. “Not any team can beat Spain [as Croatia did], we know that we have our weapons, we have our quality and let’s play eye-to-eye”.
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“Of course, we wanted to win and qualify in first place, but the main thing is we’re through”, said Ronaldo.
