Euro Champs Begin Defence in ‘Group of Death’

Hungary vs Portugal

With World Champions France and perennial favourites Germany the other sides in their group, European champions Portugal know they must launch their defence of the title with a victory in Budapest on Tuesday night.

Quite why these three nations have been allowed to be paired together in the group stages at Euro 2020 is beyond me, especially when traditionally weaker international sides have avoided such pitfalls.

Indeed, a last-16 without either the reigning world of European champions, or the 2014 world champions, will make the tournament a weaker place but that is a distinct possibility.

That means success against the country considered the weak link in Group F, Hungary, is imperative.

Talking Points

Let’s begin with the injury-hit Magyars.

On a positive note, they are hosting two of their group games in Budapest.

This will be a truly unique Euros for Hungarian fans as it is the first major tournament where the team can play at home in a full Puskás Aréna.

The new stadium has hosted several big games in the past year, such as Champions League matches and the European Super Cup Final, but Hungary’s opening game against Portugal will be only the second time they have played there in front of fans.

Also on the upside, qualification for the tournament and the recent promotion to League A in the UEFA Nations League have led to optimism and coach Marco Rossi has overseen good results in the autumn, despite the squad being affected by coronavirus and injuries.

That’s where some of the optimism turns to realism.

For the minnows have not only been placed in the ‘Group of Death’ but talented midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai has been ruled out of the tournament. The Leipzig midfielder is a fine talent and Hungary’s best player.

Marco Rossi's Hungary will take on Portugal in Euro 2020 — Hungary coach Marco Rossi during their match against Republic of Ireland

Of course, there are talented footballers and then there’s pure genius and, as I wrote nearly 18 months ago when this tournament seemed set for the summer of 2020, when there’s CR7 there’s always a chance!

That was evident at the last Euros when he led his nation to become champions of Europe – a team of good but hardly outstanding individuals who overcame the challenges of much better sides to be crowned European champions.

No one will forget that triumph on French soil four years ago and they followed that up by putting the young talented upstarts of Holland in their place in the inaugural Nations League.

The fact Ronaldo is now 36 surely means he will need more support if we are to witness more Euro 2020 highlights for Portugal.

Yet he remains as thirsty as ever for success and arguably has a stronger set of teammates around him now than he did in 2016.

The core of the team that won Euro 2016 is still there, with Rui Patrício (33), Pepe (37) and Ronaldo still involved, but there is also an impressive amount of younger talent.

The generation of Rúben Dias (24), Bernardo Silva (26), Bruno Fernandes (26), Diogo Jota (24), André Silva (25) and Félix (21) will be keen to make an impact this summer – the former four all enjoying levels of success in the Premier League in the season just concluded.

I often do not get too excited about many group stage matches but Group F has made me think twice. And if this clash is half as exciting as their meeting at the same stage in Euro 2016 then boy are we in for a treat!

History

That was a thrilling 3-3 draw in Lyon when Zoltan Gera opened the scoring with a powerful drive before Nani equalised from a Ronaldo pass.

In the second half, Hungary twice more took the lead through Balasz Dzsudzsak only for Ronaldo (who else?) to draw Portugal level on both occasions, entering the record books as the first man to ever score at four European Championship finals.

Since then, they have met twice more in qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup.

Ronaldo scored twice in a 3-0 Portugal win in Lisbon and Silva netted the only goal in the return fixture in Budapest.

In fact, Portugal have never lost to Hungary with nine victories and four draws.

Aside from Euro 2016, their only other meeting in a major tournament came at the 1966 World Cup at Old Trafford when Jose Augusto scored twice in a 3- success.

Inspired by the legendary Eusebio, Portugal went onto reach the semi-finals that year.