Martin Rogers
FOX Sports activities Insider
And so Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal go marching merrily onward, a 3-0 victory over Turkey on Saturday the newest step in what’s hurriedly changing into an imposing marketing campaign that appears destined for giant issues.
Ronaldo, the 39-year-old icon of the sport, didn’t rating in Dortmund however was influential and energetic, as Portugal made essentially the most of a calamitous personal aim to clinch a spot within the spherical of 16.
Roberto Martinez’s facet are additionally confirmed because the winner of Group F, even with a sport nonetheless to play — towards Georgia on Wednesday in Gelsenkirchen.
Bernardo Silva claimed the opening aim halfway by way of the primary half as Portugal, the one staff with an ideal report in qualifying, stamped its authority early.
Nuno Mendes’ cross from the left flank bounced round and fell into Silva’s path, from the place the Manchester Metropolis playmaker comfortably beat goalkeeper Altay Bayindir.
The second successfully sealed the competition and was a comedy of errors. Samet Akaydin failed to note Bayindir’s place earlier than aiming a backpass in the direction of aim — the keeper’s effort to hurry again and hold it out of his internet was in useless, and Portugal was rolling.
Earlier than the conflict, Martinez insisted that regardless of his lengthy historical past as a relentless goalscorer, Ronaldo’s larger worth to this staff is the eye he attracts from defenders, opening up area for his teammates.
That a lot was clear after 55 minutes when he laid the ball on a plate for Bruno Fernandes to strike residence the third, and full what was a transparent sign of intent from the 2016 champions.
The message is that this, Portugal means enterprise, Ronaldo goes nowhere, and it is a staff that feels it could possibly beat anybody.
[Related: Portugal coach Martinez defends usage of Ronaldo, says he ‘deserves’ to be with national team]
Turkey is much from completed, and remains to be in place to assert second spot within the group. It could safe that place with a draw or higher towards Czechia in Hamburg, similtaneously the Portugal-Georgia (3 p.m. ET on FOX) sport.
As for Portugal, its spot within the bracket could possibly be thought-about a pleasant one. If all goes to plan, it might not meet one other group winner, probably Spain or Germany, till the semifinal stage.
Then there was chaos as three followers bought on the sector at totally different occasions within the second half and tried selfies with Ronaldo. He accepted the primary however appeared sad on the different two.
One other phone-waving supporter, carrying a Portugal jersey, bought to Ronaldo moments after the ultimate whistle and safety needed to maintain again one other particular person making an attempt to confront one of the crucial well-known sports activities stars on the earth as he walked off the sector together with his teammates.
Ronaldo may be extra sad at failing to attain towards a Turkey staff that was its personal worst enemy at occasions.
Not least within the twenty eighth minute when, trailing 1-0 to Bernardo Silva’s strike seven minutes earlier, Turkey middle again Samet Akaydin delivered a back-pass that rolled to the facet of his goalkeeper and straight into the web.
Portugal backed up its opening 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic and has certified with a match to spare from Group F.
[Check out all the top moments from Portugal’s win over Turkey]
Reporting by The Related Press.
Get extra from UEFA Euro Comply with your favorites to get details about video games, information and extra
