yahoo.com On the final day of the group stage at Euro 2016, Group F went off the rails in the most thrilling of ways. Rationality ceded the stage to incredulity. World-class talent disappeared and then reappeared in dramatic and masterful fashion.
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With scenarios changing by the minute and goals whizzing in simultaneously, context was difficult to comprehend. For a while, Portugal was headed crashing back to the Iberian Peninsula. Then it wasn't. Then it was again, then it wasn't again.
But there was no explanation necessary when Iceland's Arnor Traustason glided along the ground at the back post in the fourth minute of added time, then stood and raised his arms and sent his team to a 2-1 victory, and Icelanders everywhere into delirium.
GOL de Traustason GOL DE #ISL #EURO2016 pic.twitter.com/QNz4EQpzAZ
— #EURO2016 (@RevistaGradas) June 22, 2016
Iceland players and fans celebrate. #ISL #ISLAUT pic.twitter.com/gjzOGCDIBL
— Gavin Brown (@gavbrown_metro) June 22, 2016
As those scenes unfolded, Hungarian coaches exchanged similar hugs at the final whistle of their exhilarating 3-3 draw with Portugal. Hungary took three leads only for Nani, then Cristiano Ronaldo, then Ronaldo again to equalize and send Portugal through to the knockout round as a third-place qualifier.
Portugal's day can be summed up in two Ronaldo GIFs. His first of two goals was unmitigated brilliance.
Awesome Goal! Cristiano Ronaldo lead his country to the knock-out stage! #POR pic.twitter.com/OoBeKQiXPm
— Sir Ravindra Jadeja (@SirJadeja) June 22, 2016
But when Balazs Dzsudzsak's deflected free kick gave Hungary a 3-2 advantage, erasing Ronald's flick, the flamboyant Portuguese star seethed.
u mad bro @Cristiano pic.twitter.com/yLYgQFU8xE
— Henry Bushnell (@HenryBushnell) June 22, 2016
Ronaldo would again pull his nation back from the cliff, rising to head home Portugal's third equalizer. But it was clear at game's end that third place behind Hungary and Iceland won't be a source of pride for any red- and green-clad fans or players.
Portugal has escaped. It has issues, clearly. But it also has Ronaldo, and it's been better than its winless group stage suggests.
Hungary, as the group winner, will play the runner-up from Group E in the next round. That could be Belgium, Ireland or Sweden.
Iceland's reward, unfortunately, for its extraordinary exploits is a place on the ominous right side of the knockout-round bracket. It will face England in the Round of 16, with France potentially looming in the quarterfinals.
Portugal will play either Croatia, and, crucially, will be on the weaker left side of the bracket, away from many of the pre-tournament favorites.
SWEATPANTS-WEARING GOALKEEPER SKILL OF THE DAY
Previously in Gabor Kiraly news, Hungary's 40-year-old goalkeeper threw a no-look pass in the group opener against Austria.
Today, against Portugal, in the dying seconds …
Gábor Király with his nation seconds from famously winning the group. What a bloody hero. #CPFC https://t.co/h68ZwVd4o0
— CPFC HQ (@CPFCHQ) June 22, 2016
Amazing.
RONALDO PR STUNTS OF THE DAY
Cristiano Ronaldo has unique methods for controlling the media. Prior to Wednesday's game, he used innovative technique No. 1.
Cristiano Ronaldo throws a reporter's mic into a lake after he asks him a question. 😂😂 #EURO2016 pic.twitter.com/gGG205SJat
— ZA Students (@ZAStudents) June 22, 2016
Following the match, he piloted innovative technique No. 2.
Ronaldo coming into post-match press conference. UEFA official says he will ask the questions. He's refusing to let media ask ourselves
— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) June 22, 2016
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