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. But football’s been full of surprises, and this would just be another one of them.
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There is a history of bad blood between the three-time world player of the year and the Portuguese newspaper in question, threatening to sue it twice over printing details about his private life.
Hungary led three times in Wednesday’s Group F clash but Portugal hit back each time, first when Ronaldo set up Nani before half-time and then when the Real Madrid man flicked home in the 50th minute and headed in a Ricardo Quaresma cross in the 62nd minute.
Cristiano Ronaldo was the Portugal hero with two goals – becoming the first man to score at four European Championships in the process – but Nani also played a key role with their first as his side advanced to a meeting with Croatia on Saturday.
Despite being denied a win, Hungary went through to the last 16 as group winners and Storck heaped praise on his outfit.
“If there is a penalty in the next game, Cristiano Ronaldo will take it and he will score”. “We failed to do that”, he said. His initial free kick was blocked but he remained composed to control the rebound and launch a rocket past Patricio, giving the Hungarians a 3-2 lead.
Portugal fell behind to Zoltan Gera’s delightful first-half goal while Nani drew them level just before half-time with an intelligent near-post finish.
Both sides made changes at the break – Renato Sanches coming on for Joao Moutinho for Portugal while Barnabas Bese replaced Gera.
The Portugal captain also registered another record on the day by playing his 17th match in the Euro Championships – most by any play er – as he moved past former France defender Lilian Thuram and Netherlands goalkeeping great Edwin van der Sar.
Goalkeeper Hannes Halldorsson came to Iceland’s rescues in the 72nd minute, getting down low to stop another Schopf shot that looked destined for the back of the net.
Portugal had promised the goals would flow and they did.
Fernando Santos, Portugal’s national soccer team coach, remains positive of Ronaldo’s attitude and ability to perform well in future games.
Hungary took the lead for the third time as Dzsudzsak seized a rebound in his stride on the edge of the area and fired a speculative shot which sailed past Patricio, again taking a deflection along the way.
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“The hours before the game are always hard for the players and I don’t think it’s a good idea they mix with journalists because things like this may happen”, he said.
