Euro 2024 | Portugal assured of finishing at the top of its group

(Dortmund) Portugal qualified for the round of 16 of the Euro after extinguishing Turkey (3-0) and its fiery supporters on Saturday in Dortmund, giving the impression of a rise in power after an early start rather shy.

Captain Ronaldo’s Seleçao had some doubts to put aside after the narrow and late victory against the Czech Republic (2-1), and they had to tame the Turks carried by a noisy red and white tide, in the streets and the stands of the BVB Stadium. Mission accomplished.

“They are two completely different games but we feel we are on the right track,” Bernardo Silva said. “It’s one more step towards our goal: to try to win the tournament.”

The doors to the second round opened wide after just half an hour, with a goal from the Manchester City striker (22^e1-0) then an own goal by Samet Akaydin (28^e2-0).

The Turkish defense cracked at the same time as the fervor of its supporters, overwhelmed by the scenario and the relative apathy of the team, despite being overexcited on Tuesday against Georgia (3-1).

The nation with the starry crescent, second in Group F, still remains well placed to reach the eighth, something it has been waiting for since 2008. This will be played out on Wednesday against the Czechs, two points behind them.

Roberto Martinez will be able to breathe fresh air into his squad, already assured of finishing first in the group, against Georgia on Wednesday in Hamburg.

Selfie with Ronaldo

On Saturday, the Spanish coach put all his stars on deck (Ruben Dias, Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Rafael Leao, etc.), supervised by veterans Pepe (41 years old) and Cristiano Ronaldo (39 years old).

The shaved-headed defender was impeccable, as when he anticipated a back pass from Kerem Aktürkoglu (37^e), and the slicked-haired striker weighed in constantly, without scoring.

On the opening score, “CR7” attracted the defenders in front of the goal and Nuno Mendes’ cross was taken at the far post by Bernardo Silva (22^e1-0).

On the third, he showed himself altruistic by serving Bruno Fernandes (56^e3-0), against goalkeeper Altay Bayindir.

Between the two, Turkish defender Samet Akaydin, although free from any pressure, wanted to give the ball to the Manchester United substitute goalkeeper, without seeing that the latter had come out of his cage to recover the leather (28^e2-0)…

Portugal did not need this boost to control an opponent who was too limited, deprived at the kick-off of its nugget Arda Güler, and whom it beat for the fourth time in a Euro, without conceding the slightest aim.

Ronaldo did not score the one that would have allowed him to become the oldest scorer in the history of the Euro, a competition in which he is playing for the sixth time.

This inveterate record chaser, with crazy statistics for the selection (130 goals in 210 matches), preferred the pass for Fernandes rather than personal glory, like a good captain.

“It’s an example that we should show in all football schools in Portugal,” applauded Roberto Martinez.

The former Real Madrid superstar, now at Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, also agreed with a smile to take a selfie, in the middle of a match, with a child who entered the field under the noses of security.

His smile then disappeared when three other, older individuals took turns trying the same maneuver.

The main thing was elsewhere. Portugal joined Germany and Spain among the favorites already qualified for the round of 16.