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A late Cristiano Ronaldo brace inspired Portugal to a perfect start at Euro 2020 as he became the tournament's greatest ever scorer

Jun 16, 2021, 02:08 IST
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Ronaldo scored twice late on against Hungary.Getty/Bernadett Szabo/Pool
  • Cristiano Ronaldo scored a late brace as Portugal beat Hungary 3-0 in its opening game of Euro 2020.
  • Ronaldo has now scored 11 goals at European championships, more than any other player in history.
  • "There are no easy opponents or games won straight away," Ronaldo said after the match.
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Cristiano Ronaldo scored a late brace to fire Portugal to a 3-0 win over Hungary in its opening game of Euro 2020.

A resolute Hungary made the reigning champion wait until late for the breakthrough at a fully packed Ferenc Puskás Stadium, with Raphaël Guerreiro opening the scoring in the 84th minute courtesy of a deflected shot.

Ronaldo then doubled Portugal's advantage from the spot three minutes later, before he completed the scoring in injury time.

The Juventus forward's first goal of the night was his 10th in European championship history, meaning he is now the tournament's top ever goal scorer.

The record had been previously held by France midfielder Michel Platini, who hit nine goals in just five games at Euro 1984 to guide his country to the title.

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Ronaldo's brace against Hungary also saw him become the first player in history to have scored at five separate European championships.

"You have to know how to suffer, fight to the end and always believe with all your strength, there are no easy opponents or games won straight away," Ronaldo said on Instagram after the match.

"Big win, team!" he added.

Portugal started brightly in Budapest, almost finding the net after just four minutes when Liverpool forward Diogo Jota saw his shot pushed away by Peter Gulacsi.

Ronaldo, who was wide-open and free for a pass, was incensed by his teammate's greed, but the five time Ballon d'Or winner later fluffed a great chance of his own.

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The 36-year-old fired the ball over the bar from point blank range with just moments to go in the first-half after being teed up wonderfully by Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes.

Following the break, play continued in the same vein with Fernando Santos' side enjoying most of the ball but still unable to penetrate the Hungarian defence.

That was until, with just six minutes to play, left-back Guerreiro arrived late in the box and saw his hopeful shot deflect off the leg of Attila Szalai and past Gulacsi.

Ronaldo's record breaking penalty after Willi Orban had fouled Rafa Silva then ensured victory, before the Juventus forward added the icing on the cake in injury time, rounding Gulacsi and tapping home to finish off a wonderful team move.

Portugal next face Germany in Munich on Saturday June 19.

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