Cristiano Ronaldo equaled Ali Daei’s international goal record when France and Portugal drew 2-2 to ensure that both sides advanced to the European Championship 2020 finals.
Portugal struck forward with half an hour away when Ronaldo struck home from the spot after Hugo Lloris admitted a penalty for scribbling in Danilo Pereira when he tried to hit the ball cleared.
France struck back at half-time when the referee pointed to the penalty spot for the second time. Nelson Semedo was convicted of dropping Kylian Mbappe in the area – although it looked very soft – and Karim Benzema made no mistake with the resulting spot kick.
Didier Deschamp’s men took the lead early in the second half when Paul Pogba played a brilliant through ball to Benzema who coolly applied goals. The goal was originally criticized for offside, but after a quick VAR check, the French fans’ celebration could begin.
Penalty number three on the night was next when Jules Kounde was judged to have managed in the area, which gave Ronaldo the chance to equal Daey’s international goal-scoring record of all time – which he never seemed to do.
Both sides considered pushing for a winner but there was never any real rush as the score was enough to secure their progress to the next round.
Here are your players’ ratings in Portugal and France …
Nelson Semedo runs alongside Kylian Mbappe / Alex Pantling / Getty Images
Rui Patricio (GK) – 7/10 – Produced a good save early to keep Mbappe out but he could do nothing against Benzema’s penalty. Pulled out two fantastic saves in the second half to deny Pogba and then Griezmann.
Nelson Semedo (RB) – 7/10 – Very unfortunate to admit a penalty for a challenge on Mbappe that looked no more than a body check. Played really well on the whole and was unlucky with the penalty call.
Pepe (CB) – 6/10 – Went well not to hit the referee after looking like he was going to explode after the French penalty was awarded. Solid performance otherwise.
Ruben Dias (CB) – 5/10 – Looks to be a bit of a tempo and was lucky not to get caught up in Mbappe’s pace more often.
Raphael Guerreiro (LB) – 5/10 – Tried his best to get ahead – and there was plenty of room to go in – but he proved ineffective when he ventured into the final third.
Joao Moutinho looks to control the ball / Tibor Illyes – Pool / Getty Images
Joao Moutinho (CM) – 6/10 – Always looking to spread the game and shoot at sight but his range was off and he fired a couple of efforts well.
Danilo Pereira (CM) – 7/10 – Busy in midfield and did well to break up the game. Recalled at half time, possibly because Lloris tried to knock him out 20 minutes earlier.
Renato Sanches (CM) – 8/10 – looked full of confidence and paid back his boss’ faith with a really good performance in midfield.
Cristiano Ronaldo put Portugal ahead / Laszlo Balogh – Pool / Getty Images
Bernardo Silva (RW) – 7/10 – Had Lucas Hernandez on toast and ran rings around him for most of the game.
Cristiano Ronaldo (ST) – 8/10 – The coolest man in the stadium when he put both penalties home. An absolute phenomenon because he will be the common highest international goal scorer ever.
Diogo Jota (LW) – 5/10 – The quietest Portuguese front line. Struggled to get a foot on the ball and was anonymous for much of the competition.
Bruno Fernandes entered the second half / Gualter Fatia / Getty Images
Joao Palhinha (CM) – 6/10
Bruno Fernandes (CM) – 5/10
Ruben Neves (CM) – 6/10
Diogo Dalot (RB) – 6/10
Sergio Oliveira (CM) – Not applicable
Hugo Lloris conceded penalty in the first half / Alex Pantling / Getty Images
Hugo Lloris (GK) – 5/10 – Very unlucky to have conceded a penalty after deciding to beat Danilo – the game has become soft.
Jules Kounde (RB) – 6/10 – Asked to record at right back and did well considering. Guilty of letting in the game’s third penalty but at this point the referee handed them out as Christmas cards.
Raphael Varane (CB) – 5/10 – Made a mess of a defensive nod and almost gave Ronaldo a great chance to open goals. Not the kind of confident performance we’ve expected from him.
Presnel Kimpembe (CB) – 7/10 – Looked solid considering that his center-back partner had a couple of shaky moments. Distributed the ball well and can be happy with his display.
Lucas Hernandez (LB) – 4/10 – Bernardo Silva could not be grasped when the Manchester City man ran up from Portugal to the right. Pull out at half time after booking a reservation for the first 45 minutes.
Pogba started in midfield / Alex Pantling / Getty Images
N’Golo Kante (DM) – 6/10 – Was not as energetic as we used to see but was still effective and helped break up the game.
Paul Pogba (CM) – 8/10 – Nice chip into the penalty area in the build-up to the award of France’s penalty. Pulled out one of the best assistants you are likely to see in any tournament for France’s other.
Corentin Tolisso (CM) – 6/10 – Asked to move back to right back in the second half when Deschamps was forced to patch his side up. Looks solid enough in midfield and defense.
Benzema repeats his penalty / Franck Fife – Pool / Getty Images
Antoine Griezmann (RW) – 6/10 – Picked up an early booking for a late challenge. Played just outside the front figure and did a good job of letting deep into the midfield to disrupt the game.
Karim Benzema (ST) – 8/10 – Finished his penalty very well and then produced a clinical finish to double his and France’s mood for the night in the second half.
Kylian Mbappe (LW) – 6/10 – Went down very easily for the penalty but you can not really blame him if the referee will give soft decisions like that.
Lucas Digne was introduced at halftime / Alex Pantling / Getty Images
Lucas Digne (LB) – N / A – Came on at half time and lasted about four minutes before picking up an injury.
Adrien Rabiot (LB) – 6/10
Kingsley Coman (CM) – 5/10
Moussa Sissoko (CM) – Not applicable
