Euro 2016: ‘Pretty or ugly’, Portugal eye win

Portugal coach Fernando Santos is backing misfiring Cristiano Ronaldo to break his Euro 2016 duck by netting against Hungary on Wednesday to help fire his side into the last 16.

Ronaldo is still waiting for his opening goal in France to become the first person to score at four consecutive European championship finals.

The 31-year-old is the holder of numerous goal-scoring records, but he has yet to hit the net at Euro 2016, despite 20 chances so far.

Ronaldo set a new Portuguese record with his 128th international cap in Saturday’s goalless draw with Austria — a milestone overshadowed by his penalty miss.

He crashed a 79th-minute spot-kick against the post in Paris having also failed to score in the 1-1 draw with Iceland last Tuesday.

The star that fans either love or hate won few Icelandic friends by slamming their team’s “small mentality” after the draw. This has been a frustrating tournament for Ronaldo.

His Portugal side has failed to live up to their pre-tournament billing as Group F favourites.

They lie only third in the table behind Iceland and Hungary, who they must beat at the Stade de Lyon to be sure of reaching the last 16.

“Ronaldo is a player who scores a lot of goals and I’m sure he will score in the next game against Hungary,” said Santos.

Portugal had 23 shots on the Austria goal — hitting the woodwork twice — and Santos expects his side to find the net and win ‘ugly’ if need be. “It was the first time we failed to score during my reign,” said Santos.

“We’re sad but we have things in our own hands. It doesn’t matter if we play better or ugly football.”

Hungary’s defence is not known for its generosity.

Since their 8-1 thrashing by the Netherlands in October 2013 — their record defeat — Hungary have conceded just 20 goals in 24 games.

Their 2-0 win over Austria and 1-1 draw with Iceland means they face Portugal top of Group F and in pole position to advance.

Bruno Alves says Portugal must back themselves to beat Hungary and book a last 16 clash. Last chance saloon for Austria In Paris, Marcel Koller’s Austria have one “uncomfortable” last chance to salvage their campaign in their final group game against Iceland at the Stade de France.

Touted as dark horses before the tournament, Austria have struggled to reproduce their impressive qualifying form and are bottom of Group F with just one point. But after a 2-0 defeat to Hungary and goalless stalemate against Portugal, a victory newcomers Iceland could still send Austria through to the last 16.