Another CR7 enterprise that reaches the Iranian Ali Daei: 109 goals in the national team, the top
the challenge
The Ronaldo-Mbappé duel, on the birthday (49th) of Zinedine Zidane and in the stadium named after Puskas, seemed to guarantee a Portugal-France of great class, in the sign of the phenomena of yesterday, today and tomorrow. The revenge of the final five years ago, on the other hand, with the exception of some superfine plays by Pogba, was more heart and emotions than quality.
Combined with what was surprisingly happening in Germany-Hungary, it still made for an evening to remember. Also because it hosted yet another CR7-show. This is worth the story: the brace on a penalty shot means the Iranian Ali Daei is hooked at the top of the national team at 109. And also the pass for the second round (to be fished out as in 2016) for Portugal that with 1-0 he found himself at the head of the group, but between the 1-2 and the 2-2 for 13 ‘he was even out of everything. Now he is on the road to Italy, already in the quarters.
The heat of Budapest and, above all, the ranking requirements suggested a soft approach. Match under rhythm, more contrasts than good plays, many mistakes and 3 out of 4 goals from the spot. Deschamps turned to 4-2-3-1, the decisive pattern in the world championship triumph three years ago, placing Griezmann in his favorite position behind the center forward. But, Pogba aside, his quality men immediately seemed out of phase. And Mbappé, after having wasted a chance after 16 ‘, snatched the penalty of the same amount in the recovery and stop.
Portugal was better for a while. Traumatized by Gosens on Saturday, Santos has finally changed the midfield. Outside the worn Fernandes, with Moutinho and Sanches he was more aggressive and incisive. The free kick at the origin of the 1st penalty made by Cristiano Ronaldo also started from the foot of the first: Lloris tried to decapitate Danilo with a reckless exit, knocking him out with a punch. Then, the equal penalty unlocked Benzema, who began the second half and repeated himself at the splendid invitation of Pogba.
Resoundingly out, Portugal re-emerged with another penalty, also clear for Koundé’s hands on CR7’s close cross. In order not to make him feel too alone in saving his homeland, Rui Patricio also did a decisive thing, flying to deflect a right foot from outside the usual Pogba on the post. France and Portugal now find themselves in the same half of the scoreboard. The Italian one, clearly the hardest. –