Portugal won 3-0 over Hungary in the group stage match of Euro 2020 (Euro 2021) at the Puskas Arena Stadium, Budapest, Tuesday (15/6).
Meeting the defending champions, Hungary appeared confident by playing fast and combined with the courage to compete physically.
Portugal got the first opportunity through Diogo Jota in the fifth minute. Goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi was able to secure the goal by brushing the ball away.
The Selecao das Quinas squad struggled to create golden opportunities. In the midst of the deadlock Portugal, Hungary surprised with a chance from a free kick. Andras Schafer’s cross was headed by Adam Szalai. Rui Patricio is in the right position to catch the ball.
Three minutes later Jota had a second shot on target. Jota’s opportunity from inside the penalty box to take advantage of the bait can still be blocked by Gulacsi.
Portugal aggressively attacked in the last five minutes of normal time, but could not change the score. Including Cristiano Ronaldo who failed to pass Jota’s pass even though he was in front of the Hungarian goal.
Portugal continued the attack in the second half. Pepe’s header in the 47th minute started the chances of Fernando Santos’ squad. Gulacsi again appeared as the savior of Hungary.
While the defending champions still haven’t found a way through the opposition’s defence, a Hungarian counter-attack sent the crowd in the stadium screaming hysterically. Roland Sallai’s kick that led to the goal could still be secured by Patricio.
Hungary’s solid defense really made it difficult for Portugal. Although they has possession of the ball more often, it is not often enough that the ball can enter the box area of 16 and become an opportunity.
Speculative kick from outside the penalty box in the 68th minute became Bruno Fernandes’ way of looking for scoring opportunities. But Gulacsi was still quick enough to make a save.
Hungary responded by twice getting into the Portugal penalty box. The balls sent by Gergo Loverencsics failed to be completed by Sallai and Adam Nagy.
A Hungarian strike put the ball into the net in the 80th minute. However, it was not confirmed as a goal because David Siger who fired the kick was in an offside position when he received the ball from Loverncsics.
Four minutes later, the Hungarian defense collapsed. Rafa Silva’s pass in the penalty box made the ball fall to Raphael Guerreiro’s feet who then fired a shot. The ball hit Willi Orban’s feet and changed direction without Gulacsi being able to anticipate. Portugal leads 1-0.
The 86th minute Rafa Silva again made it difficult for the Hungarian defense. His acceleration made Orban commit a foul in the penalty box. The referee did not hesitate to point to the penalty. Ronaldo the penalty shoot specialist did not waste the opportunity.
When injury time entered the second minute, Ronaldo scored again. After working one or two with Rafa Silva, Ronaldo outwit Gulacsi and made the ball nest into the Hungarian goal. Portugal’s final score won 3-0.
