Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal became the third team to clinch a spot in the Round of 16 at Euro 2024 on Saturday with a 3-0 win over Turkey.
Bernardo Silva scored Portugal’s first goal in the 21st minute, with Turkey then gifting Portugal another score on an own goal. Then, in the second half, Bruno Fernandes gave Portugal a 3-0 lead on a close-up shot. Portugal had possession for the majority of the game, out-passing Turkey 503-352. That said, both teams got off 12 shots, with five coming on goal.
Is Portugal proving to be a true contender to win the Euros?
Melissa Ortiz was impressed by the high level of Portugal’s play, which she expressed on the latest edition of “FOX Soccer NOW.”
“I think what we saw today out of this Portuguese side was a faster, more dynamic [team],” Ortiz said. “The first game, they were slow out of their build-up, especially down the middle, but also even building up from the back line. Today, we saw a different type of Portugal team. It was almost a wake-up call.
“Their late goal in their first game was a wake-up call coming into this and a dominant performance over Türkiye.”
Portugal overcame a 1-0 second-half deficit to beat Czechia, 2-1, in their first match of the tournament.
On Portugal’s third goal on Saturday, Ronaldo passed up a clean look at the net, setting up Fernandes for an easier shot attempt. Jimmy Conrad thinks that decision by Ronaldo showed a different side to the superstar forward that bodes well for Portugal’s chances of winning the tournament.
“For all the heat that Ronaldo gets, there is a tag of him being very selfish. In that moment, he could’ve been, and I don’t think anybody would’ve blamed him if he would have been, but he elected to play the easy one over to a teammate. And I feel like that kind of sets the tone for the culture of the team,” Conrad said. “If Ronaldo is looking out for everybody, and not just himself, that’s a good sign for me that Portugal could make a run in this.”
Plus, a young man barged his way onto the field to get a selfie with Ronaldo, who was delighted to take part in the photo.
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