LYON: Hungary coach Bernd Storck insisted there is no controlling Cristiano Ronaldo as the record-breaking Portugal captain netted twice in Wednesday’s 3-3 draw as both sides advanced at Euro 2016.
The Real Madrid ace became the first player to score at four European championship finals and his 17th match in a Euro tournament was also a record.
“We didn’t give them many chances, but whenever Ronaldo has the ball, he can score,” said Hungary’s German boss Storck.
“We all know he’s a world class player, you can’t control him.”
The result left Hungary top of Group F, while Portugal squeezed through as one of the best third-place finishers, but now face a tough match against Croatia in Lens.
After disappointing displays against Iceland and Austria, there was no stopping Ronaldo, who was crowned man-of-the-match in Lyon.
The 31-year-old superstar opened his Euro 2016 account in style with a deft backheel flick on 50 minutes, then a bullet header 12 minutes later to twice equalise at the Stade de Lyon.
It was his 128th appearance for Portugal, further extending the record he set last Saturday by overtaking the legendary Luis Figo.
But Hungary have been one of the surprise teams at this tournament and now await one of Belgium, Sweden or the Republic of Ireland in the last 16.
Hungary captain Balazs Dzsudzsak matched Ronaldo by netting two second-half goals, while 37-year-old midfielder Zoltan Gera gave them the lead.
“At 37 years of age, it was a world-class performance from him,” gushed the Storck on Gera.
“I have to pay a huge compliment to my team,
“We tried to get another goal after each time they equalised, and we even hit the post at 3-3.
“They deserve the highest compliment.
“I believed in my team from the outset, we changed five players, mainly to avoid picking up extra cards.” –AFP
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