Germany breathed life into their Euro 2020 campaign with a stunning 4-2 win over holders Portugal in Munich on Saturday despite Cristiano Ronaldo moving closer to the all-time international goals record, after world champions France were forced to settle for a draw with Hungary.
Saturday's late match sees Spain take on Poland and their prolific forward Robert Lewandowski in Seville as the second round of group games at the tournament draws to a close.
Germany knew a defeat against Portugal at the Allianz Arena would leave them on the brink of being eliminated already from Group F, following their failure to make it beyond the group phase at the 2018 World Cup.
Cristiano Ronaldo is just three goals away from the all-time international scoring record Photo: POOL / Matthias Hangst
Portugal would have been through to the last 16 with a win and they went in front early on when Diogo Jota squared for Ronaldo to score.
It was the 36-year-old's record-extending 12th goal at the European Championship finals, and also his 107th international goal on his 177th appearance for his country.
That leaves him just two away from the all-time international record, set by Ali Daei who scored 109 goals for Iran.
Germany coach Joachim Loew will leave his job after Euro 2020 Photo: POOL / FRANCK FIFE
However, Germany turned things around before half-time as Ruben Dias and Raphael Guerreiro both scored own goals.
Outstanding for Germany down the left, Robin Gosens set up Kai Havertz to make it 3-1 just after half-time and then headed in the fourth goal himself.
Jota pulled another one back for Portugal but the defeat jeopardises their chances of making it to the last 16 just as Germany now have the knockout stage in sight.
Hungary's players celebrate with their fans after holding France to a draw in Budapest Photo: POOL / BERNADETT SZABO
"Germany are one of the best teams in the world," said Portugal coach Fernando Santos. "They deserved to win."
Antoine Griezmann equalised to secure France a draw with Hungary Photo: POOL / BERNADETT SZABO
Earlier France, the pre-tournament favourites, were thwarted by Hungary in the intense heat and before a hostile crowd of almost 56,000 in Budapest, having to come from behind to draw 1-1.
In the only Euro 2020 venue without restrictions on capacity due to Covid-19, Attila Fiola gave the hosts a shock lead in first-half stoppage time after catching out the France defence.
But Antoine Griezmann, the Golden Boot winner at Euro 2016, equalised on 66 minutes as an unconvincing France avoided a first competitive defeat since June 2019.
"A point is not what we were hoping for from this match but we will take it in the circumstances," admitted France coach Didier Deschamps.
Antoine Griezmann's goal earned France a 1-1 draw with Hungary in Budapest Photo: POOL / BERNADETT SZABO
Les Bleus top the group with four points, one ahead of Germany and Portugal, with Hungary bottom on one point.
France therefore just need a draw when they face Portugal back in Budapest on Wednesday to go through, but Portugal are at real risk of being knocked out if they lose and Germany avoid defeat against Hungary.
Qualification remains a long shot for the Hungarians but their goal-scorer Fiola said it had been "one of the best days of my life, even the best".
Spain's strikers have been in the spotlight as Luis Enrique's misfiring team prepared to take on Poland in Group E in Saturday's late game.
The 2008 and 2012 European champions were held 0-0 by Sweden in their opening game, while Poland lost 2-1 to Slovakia.
Spain striker Alvaro Morata was jeered by his own fans against Sweden but kept his place in the team.
"At international level, there is only one that beats him, which is Harry Kane," Luis Enrique insisted.
Meanwhile England manager Gareth Southgate said he had no complaints about the furious reaction from fans who booed them after they were held to a 0-0 draw by arch rivals Scotland on Friday.
Southgate's side were jeered at the final whistle at Wembley after managing just one shot on target, although they remain on course to qualify from Group D.
"This is a tournament and it's critical when you can't win not to lose," Southgate said.
"That of course feels difficult in the last 15 minutes of a game where fans are desperate for you to go forward and abandon all shape because of course it's Scotland, it feels like a unique occasion."
Wales face Italy in Rome on Sunday when a draw will ensure their progress to the last 16 from Group A.
That outcome would also see Italy clinch first place.
Wales will be through even in defeat provided Switzerland fail to beat Turkey in Baku.
