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By Pan Yi
NICE, France, June 23 (Xinhua) -- Wales and Hungary, both missing world's major soccer tournaments for decades, stunned the just concluded Euro 2016 group stage to advance as the winners of their groups.
Hungary tied star-studded Portugal in Lyon 3-3 on Wednesday to top Group F with five points, putting Portugal to the third place.
Wales whitewashed Russia 3-0 two days ago, not only sending Russia packing, but also overtaking England to top Group B.
Both Hungary and Wales also topped the team scoring tally with two goals per game, followed by Croatia and Spain, both 1.6 per game.
Gareth Bale, Real Madrid's star and the talisman of Wales, scored three goals, one for each game, to top the scorer list with Spain's Alvaro Morata.
The prolific start to the 2016 finals made Bale tie the record by Milan Baros of the Czech Republic and Netherlands' Ruud van Nistelrooy, both scoring in each of their first three games at Euro 2004.
Wales will take on Northern Ireland in Paris in the Round of 16, a great chance for Bale to continue making history.
Hungary will meet Belgium next. Belgium playmaker Eden Hazard said, "Hungary will be tough. We saw the last minutes of their game against Portugal. They gave 200 percent and have very good players. We need another good performance to qualify for the quarterfinals."
Belgium beat Sweden 1-0 here on Wednesday, advancing to the last 16 as the Group E runners-up. Sweden were sent packing, finishing at the bottom of the group with only one point.
It was 34-year-old star Zlatan Ibrahimovic's last game for Sweden as he had announced at the pre-match press conference that he would retire from international football at the end of the tournament.
Croatia, missing injured playmaker Luka Modric, came from behind to beat Spain 2-1, pushing the defending champions to the Group D runners-up which have to face Group E winners Italy in the Round of 16.
The other three group winners -- hosts France (A), world champions Germany (C) and Italy (E) -- are not beyond expectations.
Built around superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal advanced only with three ties. Ronaldo scored twice against Hungary to ensure the least condition to survive the group.
Although Portugal topped the tally of attempts with 69, 28 on target, their efficiency was quite low. Portugal will meet Croatia in the Round of 16, a tough battle for both.
Eight teams were ousted: Romania, Albania, Russia, Ukraine, the Czech Republic, Turkey, Sweden and Austria.
The 36-match group stage witnessed 69 goals, 1.92 per match and one goal scored every 47 minutes.
Late goal trend, going from the opener to the last round, made many games full of suspense. Nearly 30 percent goals were scored after the 85th minute. French midfielder Dimitri Payet scored in injury time against Romania and Albania respectively to gift the hosts the first ticket to the last 16.
Germany boasted the most ball possession - 65 percent, followed by Portugal and Spain, both 61.
Following is the Round of 16 fixtures (local time):
Saturday, June 25
Switzerland vs. Poland -- Saint-Etienne (3 p.m.)
Wales vs. Northern Ireland -- Paris (6 p.m.)
Croatia vs. Portugal -- Lens (9 p.m.)
Sunday, June 26
France vs. Republic of Ireland -- Lyon (3 p.m.)
Germany vs. Slovakia -- Lille (6 p.m.)
Hungary vs. Belgium -- Toulouse (9 p.m.)
Monday, June 27
Italy vs. Spain -- Saint-Denis (6 p.m. )
England vs. Iceland -- Nice (9 p.m.)
