Euro 2020 – That Group of (WT)F

OK, it’s not tennis, which is our usual fayre… but for all the sports fans enjoying that final round of Group Games in Euro 2020 – where the result ding-donged between 3-times winners Germany going out, then it was reigning Champions Portugal on the scrap-heap… then Germany again!
And if, like us, you were wondering what that marvellous 90 minutes looked like, as a ‘graph race’, wonder no more!
It was a thrilling hour and a half of sport involving some of the world’s greats, from Cristiano Ronaldo (aka CR7), France’s prodigy Kylian Mbappé, Germany’s wunderkinds Kai Havertz and Timo Werner – and who can forget the plucky Hungary team that made it all possible.
They weren’t supposed to factor in this. The notorious ‘group of death’ was meant to be a shoot-out between France, Germany and Portugal – with the ‘Mighty Magyars’ the group’s whipping boys, just along for the ride.
But what a ride! For 12 glorious second half minutes they were set to finish second in the group and would face England at the famous Wembley stadium in London. For 80 of the total 90 minutes they were going to qualify… until that late Germany equaliser.

Timeline – How it all changed

At kick-off (with all the games 0-0, obviously) France (with 4 points) were in pole position, with Germany (3 points) second, narrowly ahead of Portugal on account of having beaten Cristiano Ronaldo’s side in the previous round of fixtures.

Plucky underdogs, Hungary, were in 4th (and last) place with just the one point gleaned from their draw with France.  A game in which they’d taken a shock lead, before the tournament favourites had conjured an equaliser.

11 minutes – Hungary score!

An outstanding header from Adam Szalai (who plays his club football in Germany!) gives Hungary a shock lead, in Munich.

At this stage the table is:

  1. France
  2. Portugal
  3. Hungary
  4. Germany

And it’s the multi-trophy-winning Germany that are headed out of the competition!

31 minutes – Portugal score!

Who else, but Ronaldo?

The Portugal icon remains icy cool to convert from the penalty spot after France goalkeeper, Hugo Lloris, went full MMA on Danilo to concede the spot kick.

And it’s all change at the top of the group:

  1. Portugal
  2. France
  3. Hungary
  4. Germany

The Germans are still going home… but now it’s Portugal who top the group and look set to face Switzerland in the next round, with France heading to London, Wembley to face England.

45 minutes – France are level!

Another penalty awarded (this one a little controversial, after Mbappe’s tumble in the box). But it’s given and Karim Benzema (who has missed his last three spot kicks for France) steps up… and slots it away. 1-1.

  1. France
  2. Portugal
  3. Hungary
  4. Germany

Enough to put France back on top and now it’s them taking on the Swiss and Portugal heading for London!

Half-time – phew!

Time for a breather. We all need it.

If nothing else to take in the news… are four times World Champions Germany really going out? To Hungary?! As it stands, yes they are!

47 minutes – France are ahead!

The second half is barely underway and France lead for the first time.

It’s that man Benzema again. From the spot again. He has nerves of steel to fire it in. France lead 2-1.

More importantly Portugal are losing… and heading out of the tournament as the scores stand!

  1. France
  2. Hungary
  3. Germany
  4. Portugal

Despite being behind, at home to Hungary – Germany would scrape through in 3rd place.

60 minutes – all square again!

The fourth penalty award of the night in Budapest (confusingly, hosting the France v Portugal game, not Hungary).

And it’s perennial record-breaker Ronaldo at it again. Wiping his brow before smashing home from 12-yards to make it 2-2.

  1. France
  2. Portugal
  3. Hungary
  4. Germany

Portugal are back in it, charting a course for England in the next round and once again it’s the Germans who are going out!

66 minutes – relief for Germany!

The unthinkable is ‘un-thunk’. After knocking at the door for the best part of an hour, Germany have scored.

Kai Havertz bundles the ball in, after a goalkeeping error. It’s Germany 1-1 Hungary and German blushes may be spared:

  1. France
  2. Germany
  3. Portugal
  4. Hungary

Now it’s the brave Hungary team heading out and Germany leap up to 2nd (ahead of Portugal on their head-to-head record) and them who are heading for a reunion with England.

68 minutes – agony for Germany!

Wait! Hungary aren’t done yet!

Almost straight from the kick-off Andras Schafer scores Hungary’s second goal, showing great bravery to throw himself in ahead of the on-rushing German ‘keeper Manuel Neuer, to head the ball home. 2-1!

  1. France
  2. Hungary
  3. Portugal
  4. Germany

Good grief, now it’s Hungary headed to Wembley! And Germany are out… again!

84 minutes – relief for Germany (Part 2)!

Sighs of relief almost rock the stadium in Munich, as substitute Leon Goretzka crashes home Germany’s second equaliser of the night to break the hearts of a shattered Hungary team.

It’s 2-2 and that concludes the scoring on a breathless night of Euro 2020 football.

Final Table

  1. France
  2. Germany
  3. Portugal
  4. Hungary

It finishes France on top, Germany second, Portugal third and Hungary fourth… and out of the competition.

In the round of 16: France will face Switzerland; Germany take on England and Portugal will play against Belgium.