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[monks data]
Turkey national football team
European Championship | Group Stage
Jun 22, 2024 at 5pm UK
Signal-Iduna-Park
Portugal national football team

Turkey
0 - 3
Portugal


Bardakci (25'), Akaydin (42'), Celik (42')
FT(HT: 0-2)
Silva (21'), Akaydin (28' og.), Fernandes (56')
Leao (39'), Palhinha (45')

Portugal capitalise on Turkey calamities to ease into Euro 2024 last 16

Comedy of Turkish errors helps Portugal ease into last 16
© Imago
Portugal stroll into the last 16 of Euro 2024 as Group F winners thanks to a 3-0 win over an error-strewn Turkey at the Signal Iduna Park.

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

Portugal's Bernardo Silva celebrates scoring on June 22, 2024© Reuters

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.

ID:546526:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect9589:No Data Analysis info
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Portugal
68.8%
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Portugal's Francisco Conceicao celebrates scoring against Czech Republic on June 18, 2024
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Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Germany Germany32107
Q Switzerland Switzerland31205
3 Hungary Hungary31023
4 Scotland flag Scotland30121

Group B

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Q Spain Spain33009
Q Italy Italy31114
3 Croatia Croatia30212
4 Albania national flag Albania30121

Group C

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Q England flag England31205
Q Denmark Denmark30303
Q Slovenia Slovenia30303
4 Serbia Serbia30212

Group D

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Q Austria Austria32016
Q France France31205
Q Netherlands Netherlands31114
4 Poland Poland30121

Group E

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Q Romania Romania31114
Q Belgium Belgium31114
Q Slovakia Slovakia31114
4 Ukraine Ukraine31114

Group F

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Q Portugal Portugal32016
Q Turkey Turkey32016
Q Georgia Georgia31114
4 Czech Republic Czech Republic30121


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