Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes were on target as Portugal sealed their place in the UEFA EURO 2024 knockout stages with a match to spare.
Portugal celebrate their second goal in Dortmund
Portugal are through to the UEFA EURO 2024 knockout stages with a game to spare after a dominant 3-0 triumph against Turkey in Dortmund wrapped up top spot in Group F.
Key moments
21′ Bernardo Silva fires in opening goal
28′ Samet Akaydin puts through own net
30′ Diogo Costa blocks Aktürkoğlu effort
56′ Bruno Fernandes turns in Ronaldo cross
Match in brief: Portugal prove too good
Portugal did it the hard way against Czech Republic on Matchday 1, but here they quickly took a firm grip on proceedings. With Vitinha pulling the strings, they set about dictating the tempo and on 21 minutes they were ahead when Nuno Mendes’ deflected cut-back was coolly dispatched by Bernardo Silva.
One soon became two, in the most unfortunate manner from a Turkey point of view. João Palhinha’s attempted through ball sounded few alarm bells but, with goalkeeper Altay Bayındır advancing unsighted, Samet Akaydin’s back pass activated the warning klaxon – too late, despite a desperate scramble.
Altay Bayındır, one of four Turkey changes from the Georgia win, was picking the ball out of his net again 11 minutes into the second half as Cristiano Ronaldo sprung the offside trap and unselfishly squared for Bruno Fernandes. The Crescent-Stars battled on, but the game was up.
So Turkey follow up their first opening day win at a EURO with a defeat that equals their heaviest in the competition. A point on Wednesday against Czech Republic and they will nonetheless advance to the knockout stages alongside Portugal, whose win preserves their 100% record at getting out of groups.
Vivo Player of the Match: Bernardo Silva (Portugal)
He scored the crucial first goal, never gave the ball away and was a big influence in how Portugal controlled the game. He kept working in both attacking and defensive roles right until the end.
Aydin Güvenir, Turkey reporter
It started well, but in the end everything that could have gone wrong did go wrong for Turkey. Portugal’s opening goal cast the die, and with each passing minute it became increasingly difficult. Without Arda Güler and Mert Müldür, scorers against Georgia, Turkey continued their tradition of not scoring against Portugal at the EURO. All is certainly not lost, though, with Czech Republic to come.
Carlos Machado, Portugal reporter
Portugal left it late against Czech Republic but this time they were far more clinical and the contest was all but done by half-time. Bernardo Silva led the way and when Bruno Fernandes scored the third, it was pretty much game over. It was a more mature Portugal performance, recognising how to capitalise on Turkey’s errors. Top spot in Group F with one game to spare, but there’s more to come.
Samet Akaydin (No4) and Altay Bayındır react after the second goal
Key stats
- Portugal are through to the EURO knockout stages for ninth time, preserving their perfect record in advancing from the group stage.
- Ronaldo has scored a world record 130 international goals, but he has never registered in four meetings with Turkey.
- Portugal have won all 12 matches in which Bernardo Silva has scored.
- Pepe, 41 years 117 days, extended his record as the oldest player to play at a EURO.
- Samet Akaydin is the 26th player to score an own goal at a EURO, and the sixth at this tournament.
- Portugal have won all four of their EURO meetings with Turkey without conceding a goal.
- Portugal have started a EURO group with two wins for only the third time, after 2000 and 2008.
- Portugal have won 15 of their last 17 matches, losing the others.
Line-ups
Portugal’s starting XI
Turkey: Altay Bayındır; Zeki Çelik, Samet Akaydin (Demiral 75), Abdülkerim Bardakcı, Ferdi Kadıoğlu; Orkun Kökçü (Yusuf Yazıcı 46), Çalhanoğlu, Kaan Ayhan (İsmail Yüksek 58); Yunus Akgün (Arda Güler 70), Yılmaz, Aktürkoğlu (Yıldız 58)
Portugal: Diogo Costa; João Cancelo (Semedo 68), Rúben Dias, Pepe (António Silva 83), Nuno Mendes; Palhinha (Rúben Neves 46), Vitinha (João Neves 88), Bruno Fernandes; Rafael Leão (Pedro Neto 46), Ronaldo, Bernardo Silva