Turkey vs. Portugal: Selecao das Quinas Cruise to the Next Round in EURO 2024

 

Match Summary

Portugal's experienced squad proved too much for a spirited Turkey side, as the 2016 European champions cruised to a comfortable 3-0 victory in their Euro 2024 Group F clash.

First Half

The Selecao took control of the game early on, with Bernardo Silva opening the scoring in the 21st minute. A deflected cross from Nuno Mendes fell perfectly for Silva, who fired home to give Portugal the lead. Seven minutes later, a defensive mishap from Turkey saw Samet Akaydin mistakenly pass the ball into his own net, with goalkeeper Altay Bayindir stranded off his line.

Second Half

Bruno Fernandes ended any hopes of a Turkish comeback in the 56th minute. Cristiano Ronaldo, on the brink of becoming the oldest goalscorer in European Championship history, unselfishly set up Fernandes for a simple finish. This marked the final blow in a match that Portugal controlled from start to finish.

Key Moments

• Bernardo Silva's Goal: Silva opened the scoring in the 21st minute, netting his first goal at a major tournament.
• Bruno Fernandes' Goal: Fernandes ended any hopes of a Turkish comeback in the 56th minute, with an assist from Cristiano Ronaldo.

Reaction

Portugal coach Roberto Martinez emphasized their consistent performance level, highlighting the significance of scoring first and maintaining a strong defensive focus. Bernardo Silva expressed happiness over the win, noting the assurance of securing first place due to the head-to-head result. On the Turkish side, head coach Vincenzo Montella acknowledged the team's struggle to score early on and the subsequent confidence dip after conceding. Turkey forward Yunus Akgun remained optimistic, aiming to put the defeat behind them and focus on the upcoming matches with confidence in their ability to progress from the group stage.

Impact on the Tournament

The result means Portugal have secured their place in the Euro 2024 knockout stages as group winners, while Turkey will need to regroup and focus on their final group game against the Czech Republic. The Czechs, who drew 1-1 with Georgia earlier on Saturday, will be determined to secure their spot in the last-16 as well.

Overall, it was a commanding performance from Portugal, who demonstrated their ability to control the tempo of the game and punish their opponents with clinical finishing. The Selecao will now look to carry this momentum into the latter stages of the tournament.

The Bad Tackle

I don't see any glitches going into the last matches in EURO 2024 Group F. Portugal are already through and Turkey won't be far behind.