UEFA EURO 2020: Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, and all records set and broken after the completion of Matchday Two

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Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Patrik Schick, Denzel Dumfries and the Azzurri all shine again. Germany get their Euro campaign back on track. Wales, Sweden, Czech Republic put themselves in good positions while Portugal, France and Spain invite pressure after matchday two.

Cristiano Ronaldo is two goals away from equalling record for most international goals. Photo Credits: Twitter/ Faisal HQ

Second round of games kicked off on Wednesday, with Finland looking to make it two in two, but it was Russia who came out on top in the clash between the two, after Aleksey Miranchuk's goal deep into first half stoppage time sealed victory for Stanislav Cherchesov's side.

Belgium come from behind to beat Denmark in the other game of Group B. Yussuff Poulsen scored the second fastest goal in the European Championship history, 99 seconds into the game to give Denmark the lead. The game was stopped in the 10th minute in honour of Denmark Midfielder, Christian Eriksen, who collapsed on the pitch, in Denmark's opening game.

Kevin DeBruyne marked his return from injury in the second half and spearheaded Belgium's comeback, assisting Thorgan Hazard for the equaliser and scoring what proved the winner as Belgium book a place in the knockout rounds.

Goals from Aaron Ramsey and Connor Roberts sealed a 2-0 victory for Wales against Turkey, who are on the brink of elimination from the European Championship after recording zero points and conceding five goals without reply, in their opening two games.

Gareth Bale set up the two goals but missed a penalty in between as Wales moved up to four points from two games and now have a leg in the knockout rounds.

The other group A game between Italy and Switzerland saw the Azzurri continue their fine form in a 3-0 win. Manuel Locatelli scored in either half and Ciro Immobile put the icing on the cake one minute from normal time as Italy becomes the first nation to qualify for the round of 16 in the Euro 2020.

They also extended their winning run without conceding a goal to 10 games, while they are yet to be beaten in 29 games in total. Switzerland will be hopeful of qualifying if they can get the better of Turkey, later today.

Italy are unbeaten in their last 29 games and haven't concede in their last 10. Photo Credits: Twitter/ UEFA EURO 2020

Ukraine ended a run of six consecutive loses in European Championship games with a 2-1 win over North Macedonia on Thursday. Goals from Andriy Yarmolenko and Roman Yaremchuk, who both become the first duo to score in their side's first two games of a single European Championship game was enough for the points.

Ezgjan Alioski pulled one back from his penalty rebound after his initial effort was saved by Goalkeeper, George Buschan. Ukraine held on for the win as North Macedonia remain winless in two games, in their first ever appearance at a major tournament.

In the other Group game, The Netherlands becomes the first side to qualify as Group winners after goals from new Barcelona player, Memphis Depay and Denzel Dumfries sealed a 2-0 victory over Austria. Austria and Ukraine will now battle for second place when both sides meet at the National Arena on Monday evening.

Czech Republic moved to four points in group D after their one all draw with Croatia. Their hero against Scotland, Patrik Schick gave them a 37th minute lead from the spot. Ivan Perisic equalized for Croatia two minutes after the restart as both settled for a point.

England were held in a disappointing goalless draw by fellow Brit, Scotland. England are now on four points, level with Czech Republic, who they play on final group day. Scotland and Croatia will battle for supremacy and a chance to progress to the knockout rounds.

Emile Forsberg converted a 77th minute penalty to give Sweden a 1-0 win over Slovakia. Robert Lewandowski's second half header cancelled out Alvaro Morata's opener as Poland held Spain in a one all draw.

Sweden currently lead the way in the group on four points. Slovakia have three from their opening game win over Poland. Spain are on two points after two draws while Poland registered their first point in the Euro 2020, against Spain. Any team can still topple the group on the final day.

In the Group of death, Hungary showed hunger against World Champions, France and earned a point in a one all draw. Attila Fiola gave Hungary a shocking lead against the run of play in the added minutes of the first half and France's persistence paid off when Antoine Griezmann restored parity, six minutes after the hour mark.

Ukraine beat North Macedonia to end a run of six consecutive loss in Euro finals. Photo Credits: Twitter/ International champions cup.

Germany beat Portugal in a six goal thriller at the Allianz Arena in Munich. After being hard done by own goal in their first game, DieMannschaft benefitted from it this time as Portugal becomes the first European nation, to score two own goals in a single major tournament.

Ruben Dias and Raphael Guerreiro were the victims with the two finding the back of the wrong net to put Germany 2-1 up after Cristiano Ronaldo had given Portugal the lead. Kai Havertz and Robin Gosens made it three and four respectively before Cristiano Ronaldo teed up Diogo Jota for Portugal's second. It finished 4-2 to Germany, who have now won all of their last five games against Portugal.

STATS

Cristiano Ronaldo extended his record of the most goals scored in the European Championship in history to 12. After his assist to Jota, he is now just one assist away from equalling the all time assist record in the European Championship, 8.

The five times Balon d'or winner also ties Germany legend, Mislorav Kloseas players with most goals in World Cup and European Championship combined, with his effort against Germany taking him to 19.

Cristiano Ronaldo is also now on 107 international goals, three more from becoming the outright record holder for most international goals.

Gareth Bale becomes the only player to create five big chances in an European Championship game since 1980.

Lazio hitman Ciro Immobile has been directly involved in 13 goals in his last 11 starts for the Italian National Team (eight goals, five assists).

After coming on in Poland's game with Spain, Kacper Kozlowski (17 years and 246 days) becomes the youngest ever player to make an appearance at the European Championships, overtaking Jude Bellingham's record (17y 349d) set for England just after six days.


Afolabi Kehinde Hassan

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