Portugal finished 3rd in Group F with 3 points and an even goal differential after drawing all 3 matches in the group stage, 1-1 with Iceland, 0-0 with Austria, and 3-3 with Hungary.
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The third knockout round game will matchup the Group D victor Croatia and the Group F third place finisher Portugal.
Heaping praise on his players for defying the odds to get to the verge of securing a knockout stage berth, Hungary’s German coach Bernd Stork acknowledged it would take a massive effort to avoid defeat by Portugal.
They face a tricky tie against Croatia in Lens tomorrow on the other side of the draw to Spain, France, Germany, England and Italy. Ronaldo, 31, has endured a frustrating time in France, hitting the post with his second-half penalty attempt in Saturday’s goal-less draw with Austria.
“We know Cristiano Ronaldo is a world-class player”.
Croatia midfielder Milan Badejl told reporters his side can break their duck against a Portuguese team that is the only side in the last 16 not to have a victory at Euro 2016 under their belt.
Portugal have a better goal difference (level compared to minus two) than Albania, who already sat behind Slovakia, Northern Ireland and Turkey in the rankings of third-placed teams. Every time he is faced with hard moments. “He showed it again against Hungary when everyone was talking about him – he has shut them all up now”, he added.
There were personal milestones, too: the audacious flicked shot in the 50th minute ensured Ronaldo became the first player to score in four different European Championship tournaments, coming in a record 17th finals game. There were many tight matches and some surprises, it wasn’t as most people were expecting.
“I’m really proud. It’s an unbelievable moment to play with my good friends, I have played alongside them for many years, at Under-17s and Under-19s and now this, it’s unreal”.
It just doesn’t get better for tiny Iceland. Not every team manages to beat Spain.
“Before we weren’t playing convincingly up front”, Santos said through a translator.
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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.
