Afghanistan
Angola
Argentina
Asia (AFC)
Asian Games
Australia
Belgium-Netherlands
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Central American & Caribbean Games
Central American Games
Congo DR
Denmark
England
Europe (UEFA)
FYR Macedonia
Finland
Germany
Greece
International Tournaments
Italy
Mediterranean Games
Mexico
National
Nepal
North & Central America (Concacaf)
Palestine
Pan American Games
Panama
Russia
Scandinavia
Serbia And Montenegro
South American Games
Spain
Syria
USA
Venezuela
World (FIFA)
Yemen
Zimbabwe

Turkey0 - 3Portugal

sportsmole.co.uk, 22 June 2024, 17:53
Portugal made extremely light work of an error-strewn Turkey outfit to stroll into the last 16 of Euro 2024 as Group F winners with a 3-0 success at the Signal Iduna Park.

Both sides were capable of sealing their knockout spot with a game to spare thanks to their opening successes, but the Selecao were a class above throughout and benefitted from some horror moments from their beleaguered visitors.

Bernardo Silva's landmark goal preceded a shocking own goal from Samet Akaydin, before Turkey's high line failed miserably in the second half, and Bruno Fernandes took full advantage thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo's milestone assist.

The conclusion of the contest was slightly overshadowed by several people successfully managing to evade security and enter the pitch to take photos with Ronaldo, who grew increasingly frustrated at the increase in invasions, but he was all smiles alongside his qualified teammates at the end.

As section winners, Portugal will face one of the third-placed sides from Groups A, B or C in the last 16, while Turkey remain second and only need a point to ensure a top-two finish.

Landmark Silva strike precedes terrible Turkey own goal

Despite his wonder strike in Turkey's triumph over Georgia on the opening matchday, Real Madrid sensation Arda Guler was among four names cut from the Turkey starting XI, which featured Manchester United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir.

Meanwhile, Joao Palhinha for Diogo Dalot was the only alteration on Portugal's end as Roberto Martinez opted for a change of shape, with Joao Cancelo operating at right-back in a four-man rearguard.

The Manchester City man had to snuff out some Turkish danger right away, doing just about enough to put off Kerem Akturkoglu after a dangerous delivery to the back stick, allowing Ruben Dias to hack the danger clear.

The screw was subsequently turned by Portugal, who had a first-time major tournament scorer to thank for their advantage in the 21st minute, when Nuno Mendes's cross from the left took a nick off of Orkun Kokcu and fell kindly for Silva, who swept home a crisp left-footed strike from close in.

Not all of Portugal's attacks were coming off, though - a poor pass from Cancelo to Ronaldo in the 29th minute saw one promising move break down, or so they thought.

As Cancelo threw his hands up in frustration and Ronaldo berated his teammate, Turkey defender Akaydin played a no-look backpass to Bayindir, failing to notice that the Red Devils shot-stopper had gone wandering towards the ball, leaving his goal exposed.

Akaydin's pass rolled straight past Bayindir, who rushed back alongside a panicked Zeki Celik, but even though the latter did manage to produce a sliding intervention, the ball had already crossed the line for Portugal's second.

Akaydin's horror moment was the sixth own goal of the Euros - and no doubt the most embarrassing one - but the lively Akturkoglu nearly halved the deficit just two minutes later, gliding through Silva and Cancelo before the foot of Costa thwarted his near-post attempt.

As Turkey ramped up their desperate attempts to pull one back before the break, Felix Zwayer had his whistle in his mouth more often than not and brandished five yellow cards, including a suspension-inducing one for repeat diver Rafael Leao.

Ronaldo attracts numerous pitch invaders after record assist

The AC Milan winger and Palhinha - also cautioned in the first half - were hooked at the break as Martinez sent on Pedro Neto and Ruben Neves, while Vincenzo Montella's throw of the dice was bringing on Yusuf Yazici for Kokcu.

However, the die appeared to be cast in the 56th minute thanks to another defensive horror show, as Abdulkerim Bardacki failed to intercept a ball over the top for Ronaldo, who unselfishly chose not to try for a historic goal and instead laid off Fernandes for the simplest of tap-ins.

Ronaldo's helper did still see the 39-year-old add another page to his ever-growing record books, recording an unprecedented seventh assist at the men's Euros, and Turkey provided few threats to Portugal's advantage as the final quarter became trivial.

In fact, the highlights of the closing stages were several pitch invaders attempting to obtain selfies with Ronaldo, who was reciprocal to the first fan - a young boy - but was not so welcoming to the older second and the subsequent hopefuls.

Martinez's free-flowing charges fashioned a handful of half-chances to add to their tally in the dying embers, but they ultimately declared at three as Zwayer put Turkish fans out of their misery.

Man of the Match - Bernardo Silva

Ending his major tournament duck with a slick first-time strike off his left foot, Silva was a terror to the Turkish defence all afternoon and put in a quintessential classy display out on the right-hand side.

The Manchester City man also created four chances and completed 92% of his passes, but a special mention must go to Pepe, who defied his 41 years once more with a true defensive masterclass.

What next for Portugal and Turkey at Euro 2024?

Portugal boss Martinez can now afford to rotate for his side's final group game against Georgia at the Veltins-Arena on Wednesday, while Turkey seek to seal their last-16 place against the Czech Republic at the Volksparkstadion.

Top News

22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka has reportedly not yet made a full recovery from the knock he suffered prior to the international break. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Xabi Alonso will hope that his Bayer Leverkusen side can return to winning ways when they welcome strugglers Heidenheim to BayArena in their 11th Bundesliga game of the campaign on Saturday. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Wayne Rooney gives Romeo Montague a run for his money with wife Coleen revealing he writes her love poetry. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Six places separate Wolfsburg and Union Berlin in the Bundesliga table ahead of Saturday's gameweek 11 match at the Volkswagen Arena. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Borussia Dortmund have already fallen behind in the title race and will at least aim to stay within touching distance of the Champions League qualifications spots when they welcome Freiburg to Signal Iduna Park on Saturday in their 11th Bundesliga game of the campaign. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk A crunch clash at the bottom sees Heracles and RKC Waalwijk go head to head at the Asito Stadium on Saturday evening in gameweek 13 of the Eredivisie season. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Stuttgart sit a disappointing 11th in the Bundesliga table before welcoming cellar-dwelling VfL Bochum in Saturday's gameweek 11 action at the MHPArena. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Brentford boss Thomas Frank has confirmed that Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa will both be available for Saturday's Premier League away meeting with Everton. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Benfica and Estrela Amadora return to action on Saturday when they go head to head at the Estadio da Luz in the fourth round of the Taca de Portugal. 21 November 2024 talksport.com West Ham have sounded out former Borussia Dortmund boss Edin Terzic as a potential replacement for Julen Lopetegui, talkSPORT understands. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aiming to move back into the top six of the League One table, Huddersfield Town will welcome Charlton Athletic to the John Smith's Stadium on Saturday. 21 November 2024 talksport.com talkSPORT's Ally McCoist has opened up about living with Dupuytren's contracture, an incurable hereditary condition that affects the hands. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Luton Town will welcome Hull City to Kenilworth Road on Saturday for a crucial game at the bottom end of the Championship table. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Martin Odegaard is everything for Arsenal - he's at the heartbeat of everything positive they do. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aiming to go top of the Championship table with a fifth straight victory, Sheffield United will travel to take on Coventry City on Saturday. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk RB Leipzig will aim to prevent the five-point gap to Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich from extending by claiming all three points at Hoffenheim's PreZero Arena on Saturday. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Champions League hopefuls Eintracht Frankfurt will hope to maintain their five-point advantage over Werder Bremen after hosting them on Saturday at Deutsche Bank Park in their 11th Bundesliga outing of the season. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Newcastle defender Lewis Hall says his lack of game time in the first-team left him 'in a dark place' last season. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two teams who could really do with a victory kick off round 13 of the 2024-25 Eredivisie season as Go Ahead Eagles welcome Almere City to De Adelaarshorst on Saturday afternoon. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Promotion-chasing Barnsley are favourites heading into Saturday's gameweek 17 League One match at Oakwell. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Feyenoord and Heerenveen will both be looking to pick up where they left off right before the international break in Saturday's meeting at De Kuip in matchday 13 of the 2024-25 Eredivisie season. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City officially announce that manager Pep Guardiola has signed a two-year contract extension. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Girona will be bidding to make it three straight wins in La Liga for the first time this season when they welcome Espanyol to Estadi Montilivi on Saturday evening. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk An in-form Las Palmas will be aiming to make it five wins from their last six matches in all competitions when they continue their La Liga campaign at home to Mallorca on Saturday night. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Following four straight defeats leading into the international break, Aston Villa will return to action on Saturday, when Crystal Palace pay a visit to Villa Park. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea have reportedly set a £100m asking price for Enzo Fernandez amid interest from Real Madrid. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Saudi Pro League action will return to the Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium this weekend when Al Khaleej play host to the defending champions Al-Hilal on Saturday evening. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Atletico Madrid will be aiming to make it five straight wins in all competitions when they continue their La Liga campaign against Alaves at Wanda Metropolitano on Saturday afternoon. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Robert Lewandowski is a mesmerising goal scorer, but it turns out that's not his only talent. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Crystal Palace may be without two of their key creators when they kick off on Saturday afternoon, as an ailing Premier League campaign resumes away to Aston Villa.