Portugal overcome resilient Hungary to give massive boost to their Euro 2020 ambitions

Portugal survived a scare versus Hungary to get their 2020 European Championship campaign off to a crucial winning start, with their goal difference also benefitting from a late burst of goals.

Playing in Budapest in front of over 60,000 Hungarian fans, the scene of supporters in the stadium was surreal, unlike that which we had seen for over a year and a genuine flashback to a world before the coronavirus pandemic. And Hungary used the energy provided by their capacity crowd to put on a disciplined, determined display despite being peceived as heavy underdogs for the clash.

Portugal dominated much of the ball in the first half, and created some good opportunities to score, though Cristiano Ronaldo was unable to keep his close range effort down in what was Portugal’s best chance of the half.

After the break, Portugal seemed a little flat, unable to create much in the way of clear-cut chances, with Portugal often resorting to crosses and long balls in an attempt to break a formidable defensive structure from Hungary.

And as time went on with no indication of Portugal breaking the deadlock, tension began to grow, with Fernando Santos’ side aware that a win was imperative in this fixture to progress to the round of 16, particularly considering the strength of the other two members of the group - Germany and France.

With no goal in sight with 10 minutes remaining, Hungary were a growing threat on the counter-attack - and actually appeared to stunningly break the deadlock with a low stinging shot from Schon in the 80th minute, but the flag eventually went up for offside, much to the relief of the onlooking Portugal fans.

That goal signalled a moment to make further changes for Fernando Santos, who opted to introduce Andre Silva and Renato Sanches to add additional energy to proceedings, having already brought on Benfica’s Rafa Silva - and his changes worked emphatically.

Three minutes after the second set of substitutions, Portugal managed to finally find the back of the net, Rafa Silva playing the ball to Raphael Guerreiro, whose fortuitous deflected effort crept into the back of the net to the euphoria of Portuguese football fans watching from across the globe - though 1-0 is always a precarious scoreline.

Portugal, however, did not look back from that moment, and with their very next attack an opportunity to double their advantage emerged immediately, Rafa Silva again significantly involved, winning his side a penalty in the 87th minute, which was converted with confidence by talisman Cristiano Ronaldo. In the blink of an eye, Portugal were cruising to victory in a game that they previously looked destined to faulter in.

Portugal reserved the best until last though. With the team in a comfortable position in the closing stages of the game, they had the license to play with freedom and confidence, and combined in perfect harmony to string together more than 30 passes before intricate play in and around the box, mainly orchestrated by Rafa Silva and Cristiano Ronaldo, allowed Portugal to score a contender for goal of the tournament, with Ronaldo eventually rounding the keeper to get his second goal of the game and his record-extending 11th goal in European Championship history.

It was job done for Portugal, and though the scoreline looked comfortable, it was anything but for the Selecao for the vast majority of the game. The three points, however, is all that matters at this stage.

Portugal’s next match is against Germany, who narrowly lost their first game of the group stage versus reigning world champions France due to a first half Hummels own goal.