Jesvin's Column: Bundesliga at the Euros, Day 5
The final group got underway today, and the wait for the start to the campaign for 'Die Mannschaft' finally came to an end. Hungary v Portugal and France v Germany was the Euros feast on offer today – here is what went down.
Guerreiro kickstarts Portugal's defence
Defending champions Portugal had to wait until the 84th minute before they scored their first goal of the tournament, but they made sure to assert their dominance over minnows Hungary in front of a packed-out Puskas Arena in Budapest. The RB Leipzig duo of Peter Gulacsi and Willi Orban stood firm against the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Diogo Jota as Hungary put up a very resilient fight, but their resilience was undone as the ball fell kindly to Borussia Dortmund left-back Raphael Guerreiro, who took aim and found the bottom corner with the aid of a deflection off of Orban.
Talismanic captain Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice to make the scoreline look more one-sided than it did, but the Hungarians played a fine game to let the rest of the group know that they are not here to make up the numbers. Backed by a passionate home support, a game in Budapest vs Hungary is not as straightforward as it may appear. Looking forward to seeing more of this Hungary side in this group against the big boys of Europe.
GOAL! Hungary 0-1 Portugal (Guerreiro 84'). #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/3U3ptg21F7
— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) June 15, 2021
Hungary Starting XI: (3-5-2)
Gulacsi
Botka - Orban - At.Szalai
Lovrencsics - Kleinheisler - Nagy - Schäfer - Fiola
Ad. Szalai - Sallai
Portugal Starting XI: (4-2-3-1)
Patricio
Semedo - Pepe - Dias - Guerreiro
Pereira - Carvalho
B. Silva - Fernandes - Jota
Ronaldo
Defeat for Die Mannschaft in their EURO 2020 opener
In a game filled with Bundesliga stars, it was the World Champions France that came away from the Allianz Arena with all 3 points as an own goal from the returning Mats Hummels was enough for Les Bleus to secure the win. Read the full match report here.
Germany suffer defeat in their opening game at the EURO finals for the first time... #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/xJ6WKeDsGv
— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) June 15, 2021
France Starting XI: (4-3-3)
Lloris
Pavard - Varane - Kimpembe - Hernandez
Pogba - Kante - Rabiot
Griezmann - Benzema - Mbappe
Germany Starting XI: (3-4-3)
Neuer
Ginter - Hummels - Rüdiger
Kimmich - Gündogan - Kroos - Gosens
Havertz - Gnabry - Müller