Cristiano Ronaldo and Rafa Silva made the difference as Portugal ran out 3-0 winners over Hungary at the Puskas Arena on Tuesday.
The first half was all Portugal, with Hungary happy to sit back and defend in numbers. A Selecao did create a few chances but were undone by the profligacy of the forwards. Poor decision-making also contributed towards the frustration and it was more of the same post the interval until a late onslaught turned the game around spectacularly.
The first goal came from Raphael Guerreiro, who scored with a deflected shot after getting the ball via a deflected cross from Rafa Silva. Rafa Silva then won a penalty shortly after, with Cristiano Ronaldo making no error from the spot to become the all-time leading goalscorer in the history of the European Championships.
Ronaldo then went on to add some more gloss to the scoreline, with Rafa Silva involved again, as he set the Portugal captain up for a superbly worked goal late on. With the 3-0 win, Portugal are on top of the Group F standings ahead of the game between France and Germany later on in the day. The Hard Tackle now runs the rule over both sets of players.
Hungary
Peter Gulacsi: 7/10
A top-notch performance by Gulacsi, who made numerous brilliant saves to keep Portugal at bay in the game, with the one to deny Pepe early in the second half standing out. Made as many as 4 saves in the game and really did not deserve to be on the losing end of the result.
Endre Botka: 6/10
Solid effort from Botka, who produced some extraordinary numbers which exemplified the effort put in by Hungary. Completed 5 clearances, 4 interceptions and 3 tackles while winning 5 duels as well. However, his output on the ball amped up the pressure on his side, as he only completed 50 percent of his attempted passes.
Willi Orban: 5/10
For much of the game, Orban was rather accomplished in his display, forcing Cristiano Ronaldo to drop deep. However, all the hard work was left undone late on, when he gave away the penalty which was converted by Ronaldo for the second goal before the Portugal captain worked his way around him for the third.
Attila Szalai: 6/10
Up against Bernardo Silva, Attila Szalai did well to keep the Portugal playmaker in check for the most part. However, he had his role to play in the late defeat, albeit only a minor one, with Willi Orban being more culpable.
Gergo Lovrencsics: 5/10
The Hungary wing-backs did not really enjoy themselves. While Lovrencsics did work hard for his side, he was also put under enormous pressure by Raphael Guerreiro, which forced the errors from him. Lost the ball 14 times as result.
Laszlo Kleinheiser: 6/10
Solid effort off the ball from Kleinheiser, who was equally wasteful when he got in on the action, losing possession 14 times. Has to address that side of his game before the next match for Hungary.
Adam Nagy: 6/10
The man who kept Hungary organised and disciplined in the middle of the park, Nagy completed a couple of tackles while winning 5 duels. However, he could have been more precise with the ball at his feet, losing possession a fair few times.
Andras Schafer: 6/10
Hungary did not win the midfield battle, but Schafer put in the hard yards for his side to ensure Portugal did not derive a lot of joy from the game. Completed 5 interceptions while keeping a solid passing rate of 93 percent, which ensured Hungary did not give the ball away cheaply from midfield.
Attila Fiola: 5/10
A game to forget for Fiola, who endured a difficult evening up against a rampant Nelson Semedo. Struggled to complete passes accurately and could not contain the Portugal right-back at times.
Roland Sallai: 5/10
Sallai struggled to find his way into the game, completing just 7 passes in addition to having a solitary shot on target. Will hope to see more action next time out.
Adam Szalai: 6/10
Ádám Szalai is the real life version of that Pro Clubs player who makes his forward as tall and wide as the game possibly allows and proceeds to just cause utter chaos up top
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) June 15, 2021
The Hungary captain put in the hard yards for his team when Portugal were rampant, completing 3 clearances and an interception. Also did not shy away from taking a shot but hardly carried a threat in the final third.
SUBSTITUTES
Loic Nego: 6/10
The first player to get the ball into the back of the net before the Portugal onslaught, Nego beat Rui Patricio from range before being denied by an offside call. Unfortunate.
Szabolcs Schon: N/A
On for Sallai, Schon got just 5 touches on the ball after coming on.
David Siger: N/A
On for Kleinheiser, Siger hardly made an impact late on.
Roland Varga: N/A
A late introduction, who was barely on the pitch before full-time.
Kevin Varga: N/A
Did not play enough to warrant a rating.
Portugal
Rui Patricio: 6/10
There was not a whole lot that Rui Patricio had to do, with Portugal in total control for the most part. Did make three saves, but each of those were regulation stops.
Nelson Semedo: 7/10
A far cry from his levels in club competitions, with Semedo proving to be one of the major creative outlets for Portugal. Played a couple of key passes while sending in a few dangerous crosses. Solid in defence as well, with the full-back winning 13 duels and 7 tackles. Top-notch.
Pepe: 7/10
The leader at the back for Portugal, Pepe rolled back the years and brought his trademark crunching tackles into the game with elan. Played a big role during build-up plays as well, keeping a healthy pass completion rate of 92 percent. Tougher tests await now.
Ruben Dias: 7/10
While the Portugal centre-backs barely had any defending to do in the first half, Dias and Pepe needed to be alert post the interval, when Hungary showed more desire to make things happen in the final third. And Dias did rise to the occasion, winning 8 duels while completing 4 tackles.
Raphael Guerreiro: 7/10
GOOOOOAL!
Guerreiro puts #POR in front!#ITVFootball | #Euro2020 pic.twitter.com/TA2tMysUe0
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 15, 2021
Guerreiro was typically a constant outlet down the left flank for Portugal, spending more time in the opposition half than his own. Linked up well with Bruno Fernandes and sent in quite a few inviting balls over the course of the game, all while keeping a passing rate of 91 percent. Ended up breaking the deadlock before the floodgates opened.
Danilo Pereira: 6.5/10
As is the case usually with him, Danilo Pereira provided a solid base in the middle of the park, which allowed Portugal to dominate possession and push Hungary back. Completed 90 percent of his attempted passes while winning 8 duels and completing 2 interceptions and 3 tackles. Solid work.
William Carvalho: 6/10
Picked ahead of the likes of Joao Moutinho, Ruben Neves and Renato Sanches, Carvalho ensured that there was no way in the game for Hungary for the most part. Won 4 duels and completed 3 tackles while also opening up play with 7 long balls. However, he does not provide the same kind of forward thrust that some of his other teammates can and has to be sacrificed in the next game.
Bernardo Silva: 5/10
A game to forget for Bernardo Silva, who was either on the periphery or making a meal of chances and passes when he did get involved. So, it was hardly a surprise when he was the first player to be taken off, and what a match-defining substitution it proved to be.
Bruno Fernandes: 7/10
The creator-in-chief for Portugal, Bruno Fernandes constantly looked to make things happen and created a couple of fine chances in the first half, with neither being converted. Continued to put Hungary to the sword in the second half and was also denied by Gulacsi. Deserved to take something from the game.
Diogo Jota: 5/10
The source of frustration for his teammates, Jota left a lot to be desired with his decision-making, choosing to take a shot when a teammate was in a better position to score. A paltry 69 percent passing rate added to the woes and his substitution was long overdue when it happened.
Cristiano Ronaldo: 8/10
Cristiano Ronaldo ?
⚽️ All-time EURO top scorer (11 goals)
?? All-time top scorer for Portugal (106 goals)
? First player to appear at 5 EURO final tournaments
? First player to score at 5 consecutive EURO final tournaments #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/rjJ7C5iXo1— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) June 15, 2021
For about 90 percent of the game, Ronaldo a picture of agony and exasperation, as Hungary kept Portugal at bay brilliantly. Then, in the dying embers of the game, Ronaldo played his part in the win, scoring the second and third goals for his side to clinch the victory while also creating history. Now the record goalscorer in the history of the European Championships.
SUBSTITUTES
Rafa Silva: 8/10
A confusing substitution from Fernando Santos when Portugal needed goals, or so it seemed initially. Rafa Silva did not make much of a difference initially but ended up winning the penalty that was converted by Cristiano Ronaldo to put the game to bed. To add more gloss on his display, he then set Ronaldo up for the third goal in the game.
Renato Sanches: N/A
Rafa Silva might have won the penalty, but it was Renato Sanches who showed impeccable strength and desire to keep hold of the ball before laying it on for his teammate. Deserves a start next time out.
Andre Silva: N/A
On for Jota, Andre Silva barely got a touch on the ball despite the late Portugal onslaught.
Joao Moutinho: N/A
A late introduction, Moutinho helped see the game out.
