Ronaldo provides assists as Portugal secures spot in Euro 2024 knockout stage with a commanding 3-0 victory over Turkey.

 

Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal continue their march forward with a resounding 3-0 win against Turkey on Saturday,   marking another significant stride in what is shaping up to be a formidable campaign. 

Despite not scoring in Dortmund, the 39-year-old football legend played a pivotal role, contributing actively as Portugal capitalized on an unfortunate own goal to secure their place in the round of 16.

Roberto Martinez's team has secured the top spot in Group F, despite still having a game left to play against Georgia on Wednesday in Gelsenkirchen.

Bernardo Silva struck the opening goal midway through the first half, asserting Portugal's dominance early on, the only team with an impeccable record in qualifying.

Bernardo Silva has been awarded UEFA's Player of the Match, and there's little room for dispute. While several Portugal players were contenders, the Manchester City midfielder clinched it with his opening goal.

Nuno Mendes' cross from the left flank ricocheted and found Bernardo Silva, who calmly beat goalkeeper Altay Bayindir for the opening goal, showcasing his skills as a playmaker for Manchester City.

The second goal effectively sealed the contest in a sequence marked by errors. Samet Akaydin, unaware of Bayindir's position, directed a backpass towards the goal, and despite the goalkeeper's frantic attempt to recover, he couldn't prevent the ball from crossing the line, giving Portugal a comfortable lead.

Ahead of the match, Martinez emphasized that despite Cristiano Ronaldo's prolific scoring record, his true value to the team lies in drawing defensive attention, thereby creating space for his teammates.

After 55 minutes, Cristiano Ronaldo set up Bruno Fernandes perfectly, allowing him to slot home the third goal, signaling Portugal's strong intent as the 2016 champions.

The message is clear: Portugal means business, Ronaldo remains a pivotal figure, and this team believes it can triumph against any opponent.

Turkey, however, still has a chance to secure second place in the group. A draw or better against Czechia in Hamburg could secure that spot, concurrent with Portugal's match against Georgia at 3 p.m. ET on FOX.

Portugal's position in the bracket looks favorable. If all goes well, they may not face another group winner, potentially Spain or Germany, until the semifinals.

The match saw some chaos as three fans invaded the field at different times in the second half to take selfies with Ronaldo. While he accepted the first, he appeared displeased with the subsequent two incidents. Security intervened after the final whistle when another supporter attempted to approach Ronaldo, highlighting the challenges of being one of the world's most famous athletes.

Ronaldo might be disappointed with not scoring against a Turkey team that struggled at times, notably in the 28th minute when Samet Akaydin's back-pass went awry, leading to an own goal after Bernardo Silva's earlier strike.

Portugal has now backed up their opening 2-1 victory against the Czech Republic and secured qualification from Group F with a match to spare.