Hungary, Portugal in stunning draw

  • Post published:June 22, 2016

Hungary faced Portugal in Euro 2016 action on Wednesday as the sides drew in an enthralling 3-3 clash. 

Portugal were in desperate need of a win to guarantee qualification into the Last 16, while Hungary needed just a draw to ensure their progress.

Portugal started the game the better of the sides as Joao Mario hit an effort high and wide after six minutes, before Pepe couldn’t do enough with a header two minutes later.

Portugal enjoyed a good period of pressure, but failed to take advantage of a series of corners. Then, with 19 minutes gone, veteran midfielder Zoltan Gera opened the scoring as he powered a low shot into the net from outside the box.

Portugal were soon back on the attack as Ronaldo had a series of shots over the next 10 minutes, but none of them caused any series problems for Hungarian goalkeeper Bernd Storck.

Portugal finally got their equaliser in the 42 minute as Nani dispatched the chance after being played through by Ronaldo. The scores read 1-1 at the break.

Hungary re-took the lead barley a minute into the second period as Balazs Dzsudzsak’s free kick took a wicked deflection leaving Rui Patricio for dead.

Cristiano Ronaldo then equaled the scores once again. The Portuguese pulled-off an excellent back-heel flick following a move down the right wing to make it 2-2 with 50 minutes gone.

In a stunning bit of play, Hungary then took the lead again. Again it was Dzsudzsak with another deflected effort from range after 55 minutes.

Ronaldo then leveled the scores for a third time. The forward did well to find space before placing a powerful header into the back of the net with 62 minutes gone.

Portugal steadily took control of the game in the period following the scoring spree, but were reduced to efforts from range as Hungary withdrew into their shell. Ronaldo had another effort from a free-kick in the 89th minute, but it flew high and wide.

In the end, neither side could add a fourth, as the scores ended level at 3-3.