English eyes will be firmly set on the Parc Olympique Lyonnais on Thursday night when Hungary take on Portugal and Roy Hodgson may just be willing Cristiano Ronaldo and company towards a sizeable victory.

After failing to top Group B England will face the runners up of Group F, which could be any of Hungary, Austria, Iceland or Portugal. With the latter having proven to be the Three Lions’ bête noir since the turn of the century Hodgson would doubtless hope that Portugal either top the group or finish third.

To top the group Fernando Santos’ side would have to beat Hungary, one of Euro 2016’s surprise packages after victory over Austria and a late draw with Iceland. Competing at their first international tournament in 30 years Hungary have proven themselves to be tough nuts to crack, and Europe has already seen how frustrated Ronaldo can become if he doesn’t make an early breakthrough.

By kick-off Portugal will know whether a draw is enough to see them through as a third-placed side but, even if they did make it to the last 16 on three points, it would constitute an extremely poor start to the tournament if the Seleccao were winless after three games.

Team news

For Portugal the problem is crystal clear. Solving it may be a more significant issue. No side managed as many shots on goal (37) in the opening two rounds of fixtures as Fernando Santo’s, but the sum total of their endeavours was one goal from Nani.

The Fenerbahce winger has formed an unnatural front two with former Manchester United team-mate Ronaldo in Portugal’s opening games but Fernando Santos may now have no choice but to consider Eder, the only natural number nine in the squad but with a record of just 3 goals in 28 caps.

Hungary need just a draw to be assured of a top two place and are almost certain to continue with the 4-5-1 formation that brought them such success in their opening games.

Once more the most significant question for Bernd Stock will be who leads the line. Tamas Priskin was the preferred option against Iceland but failed to find the net, potentially opening the door for a return for Adam Szalai, who scored the opener in victory over Austria.

Possible XI

Portugal: Rui Patricio, Vierinha, Pepe, Ricardo Carvalho, Guerreiro, Quaresma, William Carvalho, Joao Moutinho, Andre Gomes, Nani, Cristiano Ronaldo

Hungary: Kiraly, Fiola, Guzmics, Lang, Kadar, Gera, Nemeth, Nagy, Kleinheisler, Dzsudzsak, Szalai

Stanleywaxy:
Ronaldo needs to score in this game, Messi is making waves @ the copa america.... and if care is not taken they'll ( Argentina ) win it.
I rest my case.

Stanleywaxy:
Ronaldo needs to score in this game, Messi is making waves @ the copa america.... and if care is not taken they'll ( Argentina ) win it.
I rest my case.

refiner:
Portugal double chance...
Vote me and get more tips...
Lol

ebukav:



Oga, hw many beta players dey. Ronaldo team, if u bench messi 4 argentina dey go stil dey win matches.

ebukav:



u dey play ni..... sebi ronaldo na ur world best player why him no fit do ham him self for Portugal .

ebukav:



Oga, hw many beta players dey. Ronaldo team, if u bench messi 4 argentina dey go stil dey win matches.

goldeno10boy:
potugal with ronaldo how many matches dem don win

ebukav:


Oga na team effort, no be sole game, d Portugal team no dey do well, no be ronaldo fault

refiner:
Portugal double chance...

Vote me and get more tips...

Lol

Alao046:
Messi leads argentina to copa final.
ronaldo leads portugal back home after a terrifying euro.
The tin is dat both of dem re still leading abi,leading is leading;(.poor cr7,no modric nd kroos for u.kai

goldeno10boy:
Messi na player wey dey make hin team play well pass before.

Na so Ronaldo bin dey too but madrid don spoil am
Dem dey only want make hin dey inside "eighteen box" just score (because of that cr7 goal-per-game deal)just for money. As a result that hin play maker ability don low well well