Portugal secured their place in the Round of 16 at Euro 2024 with a commanding 3-0 victory over Turkey, clinching the top spot in Group F.
Bernardo Silva opened the scoring in the 21st minute with a precise finish, followed shortly by a comical own goal from Turkey’s Samet Akaydin. Bruno Fernandes sealed the win in the second half with a straightforward tap-in, showcasing Portugal’s dominance over an enthusiastic but overmatched Turkish side.
Led by Cristiano Ronaldo, who assisted Fernandes’s goal, Portugal’s star-studded lineup demonstrated their readiness to contend for their second European Championship title, having previously won in 2016.
Manager Martinez praised Ronaldo’s fitness, noting his pivotal role in setting up goals and engaging with fans, including a memorable mid-game selfie moment with a young supporter who briefly invaded the pitch.
With a perfect record of six points, Portugal heads into their final group match against Georgia without the pressure of needing a result, already guaranteed a top spot finish. They will face one of the best third-place finishers in the next round.
Meanwhile, Turkey faces a crucial match against the Czech Republic, needing at least a draw to secure second place in the group.
Despite passionate support from their fans at Westfalenstadion, Turkey struggled to match Portugal’s class on the field. The Portuguese fans, in contrast, celebrated loudly as their team confirmed progression to the knockout stage.
The match was marked by moments of interruption, including a young fan’s pitch invasion to take a selfie with Ronaldo, followed by attempts from other fans, which were met with disapproval from stewards.
The result leaves Portugal in a strong position as they aim for further success in the tournament, while Turkey faces a challenging path to secure their advancement.
