Download
Euro 2020: Germany book England last-16 date, Ronaldo equals goal record
CGTN
Germany's Joshua Kimmich (L) and Kevin Volland celebrate after scoring their side's second goal during their Euro clash with Hungary at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, June 23, 2021. /CFP

Germany's Joshua Kimmich (L) and Kevin Volland celebrate after scoring their side's second goal during their Euro clash with Hungary at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, June 23, 2021. /CFP

Manuel Neuer says Germany are relishing a return to Wembley to face England in the last 16 of Euro 2020, 25 years after breaking English hearts at the tournament.

Germany were facing elimination from Group F on Wednesday until second-half replacement Leon Goretzka fired in the crucial late equalizer to seal a 2-2 draw with Hungary which put Joachim Loew's side into the last 16.

Germany now face Gareth Southgate's England in London next Tuesday for a place in the quarter-finals.

"It was a thriller, tough on the nerves," said relieved Germany goalkeeper Neuer. "England will be a completely different game. We want to go further. And Wembley suits us," he added with a grin.

England will be looking to avenge their Euro 96 semi-final defeat to Germany at Wembley when the hosts lost on penalties while the Germans went on to beat the Czech Republic in the final.

Hungary took a shock lead in Munich through captain Adam Szalai. Kai Havertz headed in Germany's second-half equalizer, but the visitors scored again less than two minutes later through Andras Schaefer. 

Goretzka spared Germany's blushes when the Bayern Munich midfielder came off the bench and smashed in the equalizer six minutes from time.

"I am delighted, we have no doubts now and are full of confidence," said Goretzka.

Germany coach Loew admitted his side made plenty of mistakes, but vowed "we will be better against England, I can promise that."

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo (L) and Karim Benzema of France leave the pitch together during a break in their Euro clash at Ferenc Puskas Stadium in Budapest, Hungary, June 23, 2021. /CFP

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo (L) and Karim Benzema of France leave the pitch together during a break in their Euro clash at Ferenc Puskas Stadium in Budapest, Hungary, June 23, 2021. /CFP

Cristiano Ronaldo scored two penalties to equal the all-time international goalscoring record and help holders Portugal edge into the last 16 of Euro 2020 with a 2-2 draw against France in Budapest on Wednesday.

Portugal will face the world's top-ranked side Belgium in the first knockout round in Seville on Sunday.

Fernando Santos' men moved through as one of the four best third-placed sides, for the second straight Euro, from Group F behind France and Germany, who only just qualified after a dramatic 2-2 draw with Hungary in Munich.

"We did everything I wanted us to do (in the 4-2 defeat) against Germany," Portuguese coach Santos told RTP. "The result was clearly fair."

Ronaldo gave his side the lead just after the half-hour mark with his first spot-kick, before France hit back through Karim Benzema's two goals either side of half-time.

But, with Portugal heading out as it stood with Hungary leading Germany, Ronaldo helped win and then scored their second penalty with half an hour remaining.

The 36-year-old's fifth goal of the group stage extended his record tally of Euro goals to 14 and drew him level with former Iran striker Ali Daei, in his 178th international match.

World champions France will next take on Switzerland in Bucharest on Monday.

Spain's Pablo Sarabia celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during their Euro clash with Slovakia and Spain at La Cartuja Stadium in Seville, Spain, June. 23, 2021. /CFP

Spain's Pablo Sarabia celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during their Euro clash with Slovakia and Spain at La Cartuja Stadium in Seville, Spain, June. 23, 2021. /CFP

Spain finally have lift-off at Euro 2020 after a 5-0 hammering of Slovakia on Wednesday sent them through as runners-up in Group E, with Croatia their opponents in the last 16. 

Luis Enrique described his team as a bottle of cava about to be popped and they certainly exploded in Seville, where a scoring frenzy felt cathartic and could yet prove transformative for their chances in the knock-out stages. 

Spain were even about to progress as group winners until Viktor Claesson scored in the 94th minute against Poland to secure top spot for Sweden. Slovakia finish third and are out.

"It's obviously a relief, not only for me, but what it means when you insist on the same ideas and you can get the results," said Luis Enrique. "The result comes at the best moment and prepares us for what's to come."

After two tension-filled draws against Sweden and Poland, Spain were left scrambling to qualify, with Luis Enrique admitting he would have taken any position in the group as long as it meant going through. 

But Spain ran riot at La Cartuja, their early anxiety heightened by Alvaro Morata's missed penalty and then quickly eased by two dreadful mistakes by Slovakia's goalkeeper Martin Dubravka. 

The first was an own goal that will surely go down as one of the strangest moments of the tournament before another Dubravka error allowed Aymeric Laporte to head in. 

With the shackles off, Spain let loose in the second half as Pablo Sarabia, Ferran Torres and another own goal from Juraj Kucka confirmed an emphatic win, even if Croatia and Luka Modric will provide a much sterner test next week.

Poland's Robert Lewandowski reacts at the end of their Euro clash with Sweden at the St. Petersburg stadium in St. Petersburg, Russia, June 23, 2021. /CFP

Poland's Robert Lewandowski reacts at the end of their Euro clash with Sweden at the St. Petersburg stadium in St. Petersburg, Russia, June 23, 2021. /CFP

Meanwhile, Poland striker Robert Lewandowski said it was tough to accept his team's group stage elimination at Euro 2020 following a dramatic 3-2 loss to Sweden.

Needing a victory to reach the last 16, Poland came from two goals down to equalize as Lewandowski scored twice in the Group E game in Saint Petersburg.

But Viktor Claesson's 94th-minute winner extinguished Polish hopes and condemned Paulo Sousa's side to a group stage exit, the same fate the country suffered at the 2018 World Cup.

"Of course it hurts. To be out of this tournament is a big loss for us. It's going to be hard to accept," Lewandowski told Polish state broadcaster TVP. "You can't say we didn't have fighting spirit, ambition or determination. But there was something missing, the ability to win this match to keep on playing.

"But congratulations to the lads for trying, for battling. It wasn't enough," he added.

Source(s): AFP

Search Trends