France, Germany and Portugal Qualified.

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The group of death produced three qualifiers. What a group it has been. Portugal played host to France in what seem like the repeat of 2016 final between the two sides. Fernandes was dropped and replaced by Renato Sanches after his below par performances in the last 2 games.

In a game that produced 3 penalties, you can understand how desperate both teams wanted the game.

Portugal got the lifeline in the 27th minute when Hugo Lloris bumped into Danilo and caught him on his head. The referee pointed to the spot and Cristiano Ronaldo stepped up to take the spotkick which he scored. Just before halftime, Pogba tried to pick out Mbappe that was clattered into by Semedo. The referee gave another spotkick and Benzema stepped up to score also.

With the game being even, France took the lead for the first time in the 47th minute when another brilliant pass from Pogba found Benzema who strolled into the box to slot home with a composed finish. The lineman flagged offside but after the VAR desk reviewed it, the goal stood.

Not to be outdone, Portugal got their second penalty kick of the game when Kounde handled the ball from Cristiano Ronaldo's effort. Ronaldo stepped up again and sent Lloris the wrong way to draw level with the Iranian legend on 109 international goal who has been holding the solitary record for the men football for the most goal scored.

In the 67th minute, Pogba produced a lovely curling shot that struck the crossbar just from outside the box. Griezmann followed up the rebound but Rui Patricio expertly saved it.

The game ended 2-2 to both teams and both teams qualified. Portugal qualified as one of the best losers.

Portugal would be playing Belgium next while France would face Switzerland; another team to qualify as the best loser.

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Germany got the scare of their lives when they faced Hungary. Hungary almost produced the biggest shock of the tournament and despite missing out, they showed class, determination and brilliance.

Hungary took the lead against Germany in the 11th minute when Szalai produced a brilliant header after a lovely delivery into the box. Up to that goal, Hungary showed team play. Ginter came close for Germany in the 21st minute but his effort lacked placement.

Hungary should have gone two goals up when a brilliant freekick that was taken clipped the top of the post in the 61st minute but 7 minutes later, Germany pegged themselves level when Kimmick sends the ball in and Hummels beat the goalkeeper with a header before Havertz finished it all by heading home from close range.

Germany were not even done jubilating when straight from kick off, Szalai sent Schafer clear and he powered home a header to beat Neuer for pace to regain the lead. Toni Kroos came close as they were bent on throwing everything at Hungary but he missed narrowly.

The heartbreak came for Hungary when in the 84th minute, Goretzka smashed home inside the box to make it 2-2. Germany qualified and Hungary missed out. Germany would play England next.

I got this prediction spot on for the second time as I predicted France and Germany to qualify and they both qualified.

Here is how the table ended:

France - 5 Points
Germany - 4 Points
Portugal - 4 Points
Hungary - 2 Points

Both Germany and Portugal have the same goal difference but Portugal scored 7 goals and Germany scored 6 times.

Last 16 Fixtures:

Portugal v Belgium
France v Switzerland
Germany v England

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Thank you for your time.

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