The 2016 European champions left nothing to chance in the sold-out Signal-Iduna-Park and underlined their ambitions for a second European title – the Turks were too harmless. In the last group match on Wednesday (9 p.m.), Portugal will face European debutants Georgia, while Turkey will face the Czech Republic, the stronger opponent only on paper, and are under pressure with three points. A point against the Czechs (1) is probably necessary and a must for promotion.
In any case, the expected duel between the generations had not come to fruition. The Turkish fans had hoped in vain for the young stars Kenan Yildiz and Arda Güler (both 19 years old), the Portuguese had rightly and as usual for Cristiano Ronaldo (39) and in defence for Pepe, who at more than 41 years of age has been the oldest player in the history of the European Championship since the 2-1 opening victory against the Czech Republic. Güler had snatched the record from Ronaldo as the youngest goalscorer on his European Championship debut in the 3-1 win against Georgia.
Young stars on the bench
Güler, like Yildiz, sat on the bench at the start, with coach Vincenzo Montella reserving the possible “joker role” for both of them. The Italian team manager of the Turks was cautious – instead of them, Kerem Aktürkoglu and Yunus Akgün, who can be used both offensively and defensively, came on. It was assumed that Güler and Yildiz would be ready and willing to play if a goal was needed. Portugal formed up as expected.
The match was entertaining, as most of this round of European Championships have been. The first moments belonged to the Portuguese, who pushed forward to the whistles of the predominantly Turkish fans in the BVB stadium. The Turks waited for moments to switch play, i.e. counterattacks. The first one did not take long to arrive. Aktürkoglu’s first possible shot from close range was blocked by Joao Cancelo (7th minute), or rather Aktürkoglu did not hit the ball properly – luck for Portugal’s goalkeeper Joao Cancelo.
Quick preliminary decision
The Turks were initially organized in defence and made things difficult for the Portuguese. After one of the first controlled attacks, the Turkish goal rang: Nuno Mendes passed the ball into the penalty area to Bernardo Silva, and the ManCity legionnaire did not need to be asked twice and smashed the ball past Turkey goalkeeper Altay Bayindir into the net.
1:0 by Silva
Bernardo Silva gave the Portuguese the lead in the 21st minute.
There was great cheering and seven minutes later the Portuguese and fans couldn’t believe their eyes, completely unexpectedly the score was 2-0. After obvious coordination problems in the Turkish defense and a blackout, Samet Akaydin scored unchallenged and just as unexpectedly for Bayindir with a roller into his own goal to make it 2-0 for Portugal – the sixth own goal of this European Championship. In the 37th minute Ronaldo missed the chance to make it 3-0 from a good position.
From the Turks’ point of view, the roof was on fire and the game was slipping away. Güler and Yildiz were probably waiting in the wings. After further attacks by the Portuguese, the Turks breathed a sigh of relief when referee Felix Zwayer sent the teams to the dressing rooms. Turkish coach Montella had to react during the break, while his Spanish counterpart Roberto Martinez was able to face the second half with more composure.
Own goal by Akaydin
With the sixth own goal of the current European Championship finals, Samet Akaydin made it 2-0 for Portugal.
Lack of counter-offensive
Turkey went into the second half with a small change (Yusuf Yazici instead of Orkun Kökcu) but again without Güler and Yildiz, while Portugal kept Rafael Leao and Joao Palhinha on the bench (for Pedro Neto and Ruben Neves). The Turks fought for a goal, although they were not rewarded. Portugal provided the more dangerous moves.
Bruno Fernandes made the final decision with the help of superstar Ronaldo. After a perfect pass from Ruben Neves, the 39-year-old superstar ran unhindered into the penalty area and passed to Silva in a perfect shooting position, possibly because he had been offside beforehand. The 29-year-old gave Bayindir in the Turkish goal no chance with his 23rd goal in the Portuguese team kit.
3-0 by Fernandes
Ronaldo went through on the half-right and passed to Fernandes, who put the ball in the net.
The game was over, although Yıldız (58th minute) and Güler finally had their chance in the 70th minute. A short interruption of play due to a streaker was one of the few highlights in the last few minutes. There were no chances, and the Turks were far from scoring the first goal of the game. The Portuguese did what was necessary and were still closer to scoring a fourth goal when Silva had an opportunity (90th minute).
Voices about the game
Robert Martinez (Portugal coach): “I think we played at the same level as against the Czech Republic. We scored a goal first, which was important, and in a way that changed what Turkey could do. I think Turkey started well, the atmosphere was great. We were very focused defensively, after the first goal we controlled the game. The fact that we kept a clean sheet was also very important.”
Vincenzo Montella (Turkey coach): “In general, I don’t think we played a bad game. In the first 20 minutes we were closer to scoring a goal. Against opponents like that, if you don’t score in the first few minutes, everything becomes more difficult. They were a lot more efficient than us, and that made the difference.”
“Arda (Güler; note) was not fully fit, I can say that clearly. He could not play more than 30 minutes without risking injury. There was also the idea of not substituting him 20 minutes before the end, but in the end I gave in because my opinion is that good players have to play.”
UEFA EURO 2024, Group F, second matchday
Saturday:
Türkiye – Portugal 0:3 (0:2)
Torfolge:
0:1 Silva (21.)
0:2 Akaydin (28./own goal)
0:3 Fernandes (55.)
Dortmund, Signal-Iduna-Park, SR Zwayer (GER)
Türkiye: Bayindir – Celik, Bardakci, Akaydin (76th Demiral), Kadioglu – Calhanoglu, Ayhan (59th High) – Akgün (70th Güler), Kökcu (46th Yazıcı), Aktürgoglu (59th Star) – Yilmaz
Portugal: Costa – Cancelo (68. Semedo), Dias, Pepe (83. A. Silva), Mendes – Vitinha (88. J. Neves), Palhinha (46. R. Neves), Fernandes – B. Silva, Ronaldo, Leao ( 46. Grandson)
Gelbe Karten: Bardakci, Akaydin, Celik bzw. Leao, Palhinha
