PORTUGAL moved on to the round-of-16 of Euro 2024 following a 3-0 triumph over Turkey on Saturday night (Sunday in the Philippines) at the BVB Stadion Dortmund in Dortmund, Germany.
Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes scored a goal each, while Turkey committed an own goal violation as Portugal secured their post-season seat with a 2-0 record in Group F.
Portugal opened the scoring in the 21st minute as Silva converted a left-footed shot to the center after receiving the ball from Cristiano Ronaldo inside the box.
Turkey then gave Portugal a 2-0 edge as Samet Akaydin committed an own goal violation as he delivered a back-pass that rolled to the side of his goalkeeper Altay Bayindir and straight into the net.
Portugal then widened their advantage to 3-0 with a 55th-minute right-footed shot to the center of the goal from Fernandes from a timely pass from Ronaldo.
“It was a pure moment of Portuguese football,” Portugal coach Roberto Martinez said in praise of his captain Ronaldo, which is making a record 27th appearance in Euro.
“It should be shown in every academy in Portugal and world football, because it showed that the team is the most important thing,” he added, referring to Ronaldo opting to pass than score.
Turkey, which defeated Georgia, 3-1, in their opening game, remained with three-point in the group and is in a must-win situation against Czechia to reach the next round.
Meanwhile in Cologne, Germany, Belgium bounced back from their first-game loss with a 2-0 victory over Romania to keep their post-season hopes alive.
Youri Tielemans gave Belgium a quick 1-0 with his second-minute goal before Kevin De Bruyne wrapped up the victory with a second half conversion./PN
