Germany frustrates Portugal to revive euro expectations, France | Euro2020 News

Germany resumed their 2020 Euro Cup campaign and opened Group F on Saturday with a 4-2 win over Portugal in Munich after the French world champions had to settle for a draw with Hungary.

In Saturday’s final match, Robert Lewandowski’s second-half header drew Poland 1-1 with Spain in Seville, forcing the hosts to settle for a second draw in Group E, closing out the second round of the group stage of the tournament.

France drew 1-1 with Hungary earlier in Budapest and Germany won, with all the things to play in the final Group F matches on Wednesday when the Germans face Hungary and the French meet the Portuguese starters.

“Overall, it was a great performance: a great attitude and a great morale,” said German coach Joachim Loew.

“We have to play every game like today. We have to put pressure on the opponent and then we can go step by step, ”he added.

After Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 107th international goal – two points short of Ali Daei’s historic mark – to give Portugal the lead, the Germans responded with four unanswered goals.

Portuguese defenders Ruben Dias and Raphaël Guerreiro both put the ball into their goal to give Germany a 2-1 lead in the Euro 2020 match played in Munich.

Portugal have become the first team to score two goals in a single match at the European Championships.

A goal from Kai Havertz underscored Germany’s dominance as left-back Robin Gosens put the man in the match ahead of the match to put Germany in fourth place to add to his two assists.

Portugal pulled back when Diogo Jota hooked Ronaldo’s volley with 23 minutes left to make it 4-2.

Germany continued to dominate Portugal, having now won the World Cup or European Championship semi-finals five times in a row since 2000.

“Germany was the best team and I take responsibility for that (failure), but now whether we advance or not is our answer,” said Portuguese coach Fernando Santos.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored the 107th international goal, leaving Ali Daei with two less than ever on record [Christof Stache/Pool/AP]

Germany created plenty of chances on Tuesday compared to France’s 1-0 win, while Portugal beat Hungary 3-0 on the same day without any calm.

Germany scored almost a fifth goal when Havertz’s substitute Leon Goretzka was sent off after another attack from the hosts.

It is the first time Portugal have conceded four goals since losing 4-0 to Germany in the 2014 World Cup.

Hungary has France

Earlier in the day, France, the pre-tournament favorites, frustrated Hungary in the heat of the moment and faced an enemy of almost 56,000 people in Budapest, who had to come from behind to draw 1-1.

In the only Euro 2020 hall with no capacity reduction as a result of COVID-19, Attila Fiola gave them a great reception in the first half at halftime after capturing the French defense.

But Antoine Griezmann, who won the 2016 European Cup Gold Boots, equalized in the 66th minute as he was unconvinced that France avoided its first competitive defeat since June 2019.

Hungarian Roland Sallai is in the air challenging Frenchman Benjamin Pavard to get the ball [Alex Pantling/Pool/AP]

“One point is not what we expected from this match, but we will take it in those circumstances,” admitted French coach Didier Deschamps.

Les Bleus is the team with four points, ahead of Germany and Portugal, with Hungary at one point.

Therefore, France only need a draw when Portugal play against Budapest on Wednesday, but Portugal are at risk of being knocked out if they lose and Germany avoid defeating Hungary.

The standings remain a distant play for the Hungarians, but their goal scorer Fiola said it was “one of the best days of my life, even the best”.

Spain is fighting against Poland

On Saturday, when Spain and Poland drew 1-1, they made sure that the four teams in Group E of Euro 2020 could still qualify to enter Wednesday’s final matchday.

Spanish striker Alvaro Morata equalized in the 25th minute, shooting Gerard Moreno’s ball into the area and, despite an offside line flag delaying the celebrations, the goal was awarded after a VAR test.

Lewandowski equalized with a superb cross from Kamil Jozwiak in the 54th minute and four minutes later a Moreno penalty kick was fired from the left post, Morata bounced off and missed other chances in the second half.

The draw leaves Sweden in first place in Group E by four points, Slovakia with second three, Spain with two third points and Poland with the bottom. Sweden will play their last match in Poland on Wednesday when Spain will face Slovakia.