Following a 2-2 result against France, the defending champions, Portugal, have officially qualified for the last 16 of the European Championship. France finished Group F as leaders with five points, while Germany and Portugal took second and third place respectively. Portugal is now set to take on Belgium, the group leaders, in their first knockout fixture in Seville on Sunday.
The defending Champions Portugal squeezed into the last 16 of the European Championship after a 2-2 draw with France. In Group F, World Champions France won the top place with five points. With equal points, Germany stands second and Portugal the third. Portugal will face top-ranked Belgium in the first knockout match in Seville on Sunday.
Cristiano Ronaldo was the hero for Portugal, netting two penalties to guarantee their place in the knockout rounds. By the end of the group stage, Ronaldo had amassed five goals. His second goal in this match marked his 109th for his country, bringing him level with Ali Daei of Iran for the most international goals scored by any man. Portugal started the match strongly, dominating the first 30 minutes. Although Mbappe tried to break through for France, he was denied by a sharp save from Patricio. The deadlock was eventually broken in the 31st minute when Portugal won a penalty; Hugo Lloris was penalized for fouling Danilo Pereira during a clearance attempt. After issuing a yellow card to the keeper, the referee awarded the spot-kick, which Ronaldo expertly converted while Lloris dove in the opposite direction.
Portugal dominated with better chances of goal in the first 30 minutes. France’s first goal attempt from Mbappe was saved by Keeper Patricio. Both teams played with good plans to score, but Portugal made the breakthrough when they were awarded a penalty in the 31st minute. France keeper Hugo Lloris fouled Danilo Pereira when he tried to punch the ball away. The referee raised the yellow card and awarded the penalty. Ronaldo hammered the ball into the net as Lloris dived to the wrong end.
The tide turned when France earned a penalty of their own after Nelson Semedo collided with Mbappe inside the box. Following a VAR check, the decision stood, and Karim Benzema stepped up to score. This was a significant moment, as it was Benzema's first goal for the national team since 2015, marking a successful return from a five-year absence from the squad.
France took the lead shortly after the restart in the 47th minute. A masterful long ball from Pogba found Benzema, who fired a low shot from eight yards into the net. Although the linesman initially flagged for offside, a VAR review overturned the call, confirming Benzema's run was perfectly timed. This put France ahead 2-1.
France maintained control of the game for a while, but Portugal found a way back in the 59th minute via another penalty. Kounde had handled the ball while trying to block a cross from Ronaldo. VAR confirmed the handball, and once again, Ronaldo beat Hugo Lloris to bring the score back to a level 2-2.
Portugal nearly took the lead with a free-kick from the right side of the area, but Bernardo Silva's effort flew well wide of the target. Meanwhile, Portugal's goalkeeper, Patricio, remained alert, making two vital saves to keep out efforts from Pogba and Griezmann.