It was a night many had hoped for when Group F was drawn, and while Hungary played their part it was France, Germany and Portugal who reached the Euro 2020 knockouts after two dramatic games on Wednesday.
Both Germany vs Hungary and Portugal vs France ended 2-2 in the final round of Group F fixtures, and that meant for two hours it left many frantically checking the updated table as the action played out.
England were awaiting the runners-up of this group, and having started the day as Germany at Wembley it changed a further eight times until Gareth Southgate’s side drew their old rivals in the last 16.
Here’s how Wednesday night unfolded…
Just before kick-off a pitch invader ran onto the pitch during the Hungarian anthem as supporters responded to Uefa’s decision to block the Allianz Arena from lighting up in rainbow colours by filling the stadium with flags, wigs, masks and socks in support of the LGBT+ community.
Kick-off was at 8pm BST in both Munich and Budapest, with France top heading into the two matches on four points, Germany second with three points, Portugal third with three points, and Hungary bottom with one point.
France had already booked their place in the last 16, but the final positions remained up for grabs.
Eleven minutes into the first half in Munich, Hungary went ahead against Germany thanks to Adam Szalai’s header.
As it stood, Germany were going out: 1. France (5pts), 2. Portugal (4pts), 3. Hungary (4pts), 4. Germany (3pts)
On the half-hour mark in Budapest, a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty put Portugal 1-0 up and top of the table.
As it stood, Germany were still going out: 1. Portugal (6pts), 2. France (4pts), 3. Hungary (4pts), 4. Germany (3pts)
In the second minute of first-half stoppage time, a contentious penalty saw Karim Benzema level the tie for France – putting them back on top.
As it stood, Germany were still going out: 1. France (5pts), 2. Portugal (4pts), 3. Hungary (4pts), 4. Germany (3pts)
In the 47th minute France went 2-1 up thanks to Benzema again, which meant Portugal were on their way out.
As it stood: 1. France (7pts), 2. Hungary (4pts), 3. Germany (3pts), 4. Portugal (3pts)
On the hour a Ronaldo penalty made it 2-2 – thus levelling Ali Daei’s record of 109 international goals – to ensure Portugal were back in contention to qualify and Germany were going out once more.
As it stood, Germany were again going out: 1. France (5pts), 2. Portugal (4pts), 3. Hungary (4pts), 4. Germany (3pts)
In the 66th minute a dramatic equaliser for Germany through Kai Havertz – who bundled it in from barely a yard out – meant it was Hungary heading out.
As it stood: 1. France (5pts), 2. Germany (4pts), 3. Portugal (4pts), 4. Hungary (2pts)
Just two minutes later though Andras Schafer beat Manuel Neuer to the ball to nod Hungary back in front, stunning Germany who were once more heading out.
As it stood: 1. France (5pts), 2. Portugal (4pts), 3. Hungary (4pts), 4. Germany (3pts)
In the 84th minute, with the tension ramped up, Leon Goretzka equalised for Germany against Hungary, making it 2-2 across both games.
As it stood: 1. France (5pts), 2. Germany (4pts), 3. Portugal (4pts), 4. Hungary (2pts)
The full-time whistle sounded first in Munich, with Germany doing enough to scrape through and eventually seal second to book a meeting with England once France’s 2-2 draw with Portugal was over.
The results also left France top and drawing Switzerland in the last 16, with Belgium taking on Portugal in a mouth-watering clash.
More from i on Euro 2020
- What the Premier League could learn from Euro 2020’s controversy-free referees
- The football nomad who became a hero for his role in saving Eriksen’s life
- How Ronaldo’s Coca-Cola stunt could change the face of football sponsorship
- In praise of Emma Hayes, the best pundit at Euro 2020 so far
- How to watch every Euro 2020 match on TV and online in the UK
from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/2U00092
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