Cristiano Ronaldo scored two penalties to save Portugal from group-stage elimination in a thoroughly entertaining game in Budapest.

Karim Benzema also bagged a brace for the unimpressive world champions - his first two tournament goals since returning to the France squad - but Ronaldo stole the headlines.

The Madeira-born marvel went into Euro 2020 needing five goals to match Ali Daei's record of 109 internationals and has done just that in three games, despite playing in the so called 'group of death'.

After striking twice against Hungary, Ronaldo also netted in the 4-2 defeat to Germany last time out. That result, coupled with those in our groups, meant Portugal needed at least a point from their final game.

It all looked looked rosy when the referee awarded a penalty midway through the first half - Hugo Lloris came to punch clear, but net Danilo Periera's head instead and Ronaldo stepped up to fire home from twelve yards.

But the whistle-happy official then penalised Nelson Semedo's 'challenge' on Kylian Mbappe, giving Benzema the chance to level it up and he did not disappoint, France's no.9 hammering his country level in first-half stoppage time.

After being second best for the entire first forty-five minutes, the French came out firing in the second and the Real Madrid striker was at it again - coolly slotting the ball beyond Rui Patrício after escaping the offside trap to meet Paul Pogba's superb through ball.

As it stood, Portugal would crash out of the competition they won five years ago but Ronaldo took the game by the scruff of the neck and showed Europe who's boss and came to his country's aid yet again.

His sheer presence on the ball caused Jules Koundé to panic. The young defender raised his arms in the area and, when Ronaldo's cross was blocked in that manner, presented the opportunity for you know to pull the game back to 2-2.

And, you guessed it, Ronaldo delivered.

Having already put the ball to Lloris' right in the first half, the mind games were on and many a player would have let affect them, but not this man.

The greatest goalscorer the world has ever seen dispatched his second spot kick in the same direction of the first to drag his country back from the brink.

The match was a replay of the Euro 2016 final and, not only was it a much more entertaining encounter, but there is every chance that the two giants will meet in the grand showpiece again on July 11th. Unless you're an England fan, that is, in which case it's coming home - just as long as the meeting with Germany doesn't go to penalties.

 

  • Takeaways

 

Renato Sanches looks like himself again

Remember when a teenage Renato Sanches burst onto the scene in this competition five years ago? We all expected him to blow the lid off world football after stunning performances on his way to Euros glory. That hasn't materialised, far from it, but after putting on a stellar show spreading the ball left and right from the middle of the park in this one, maybe the kid can rekindle the light inside him.

France aren't that great

The world champions were lucky to beat Germany in their first group match, wasteful against Hungary in gameweek two and by far second best for large parts against Portugal. Yes they've won the group and were already through to the Round of 16 with a game to spare, but the French have been largely unimpressive. Improvement is needed.

Ronaldo is king

The English language has ran out of superlatives to describe this man. Playing in by far the toughest group of the tournament at the age of 36, Ronaldo has bagged five goals and almost single-handedly taken Portugal through to the knockout stages. It's the same old script, but he keeps writing it. And he keeps on putting his name in the record books.