Ronaldo scores 2 in Portugal’s 3-3 draw with Hungary

Cristiano Ronaldo had cut a frustrated figure in attack but his quick-thinking resulted in Portugal finding an equaliser as Nani latched onto a pin-point pass from the Real Madrid star before driving the ball inside the near post from 10 yards.

But Hungary have been one of the surprise teams at this tournament and now await one of Belgium, Sweden or the Republic of Ireland in the last 16.

“It was an insane match”, Cristiano said afterwards, as Portugal equalised three times in sweltering conditions.

In the 19th minute, the 37-year old Gera took a half-cleared corner into his stride and unleashed a fizzing low-half volley past Rui Patricio from 25 metres.

The captain became the first player to score in four separate European Championships in a record 17th appearance in the competition.

It was also known England’s next opponents would be the runners up in Group F, a group containing Portugal, Iceland, Hungary and Austria.

“We wanted to rest him and spare him for the knockout stage but we needed his presence because his alternatives could not recover from injuries”, he said.

Captain of the side Cristiano Ronaldo scored a brace against a well determined Hungary to book a place in the last 16.

There was added joy for Ronaldo as he broke yet another record during the draw with Hungary.

Ronaldo’s first sight of goal came from a free-kick but it was pushed behind by Gabor Kiraly, who was wearing his customary grey tracksuit bottoms despite the 30-degree temperatures.

GOAL!!! Balazs Dzsudzsak scores for Hungary in the 47th minute.

Ronaldo’s strikes, the first with a spectacular back heel and the second with a header, helped Portugal earn a 3-3 draw with Hungary, sending both teams through. The other change from the side that was held 0-0 by Austria is midfielder Joao Mario replacing Ricardo Quaresma. In Portugal’s last match, against Austria, Ronaldo tied the record on 16 with France defender Lilian Thuram and ex-Netherlands goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar.

Fernando Santos, Portugal’s national soccer team coach, remains positive of Ronaldo’s attitude and ability to perform well in future games.

If he hadn’t scored either of these goals, Portugal would have been eliminated from the tournament in a shocking upset.

By contrast to Ronaldo’s troubles, Hungarians are still pinching themselves after already reaching the knockout round in their first major worldwide tournament for three decades.