Portugal broke Turkish hearts to safe their place within the final 16 of Euro 2024 with a 3-0 win in Dortmund on Saturday, whereas Belgium stored their hopes alive with a 2-0 victory over Romania.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portuguese facet, European champions in 2016, are among the many favorites to win the title in Germany they usually lived as much as their standing with a complete victory in entrance of a partisan crowd to safe first place in Group F.
Bernardo Silva of Manchester City opened the scoring halfway by way of the primary half, sweeping the ball dwelling after a low Nuno Mendes cross was deflected into his path.
Portugal then doubled their lead simply earlier than the half-hour mark in comical trend.
There appeared no hazard for the Türkiye protection following a poor go by Joao Cancelo aimed toward Ronaldo however Samet Akaydın’s tried backpass rolled past the attain of goalkeeper Altay Bayındır and crossed the road regardless of the efforts of Zeki Çelik to clear.
Türkiye by no means appeared like getting again into the sport and Portugal acquired their third aim early within the second half as Ronaldo discovered himself in on aim however unselfishly squared for Bruno Fernandes to complete.
Having already crushed the Czech Republic 2-1, Portugal are considered one of solely three sides to have a most six factors from their opening two video games and are actually sure to win the part even earlier than enjoying Georgia in Gelsenkirchen on Wednesday.
They, due to this fact, know they are going to play a last-16 tie in Frankfurt on July 1 in opposition to probably the greatest third-place finishers.
“We are first in the group and we can make changes in the next game which for me is very important as there are lots of players in the dressing room who deserve to play,” stated Portugal coach Roberto Martinez.
Safety issues
Ronaldo, showing at his sixth Euros on the age of 39, will turn into the event’s oldest-ever aim scorer if he finds the online in Germany however he failed so as to add to his competitors document tally of 14 right here.
The famous person ahead, now enjoying in Saudi Arabia, was additionally approached for a selfie by a number of pitch invaders within the second half.
While he loved the eye the primary time, posing with a smile for {a photograph} within the heart circle, he appeared visibly irritated because the variety of invaders grew.
Martinez admitted the convenience with which so many followers acquired into the enjoying space was a priority.
“It is a concern because today we were lucky that the intentions of the fans were good,” he added.
Earlier, Georgia claimed a historic first-ever level at a significant event in a 1-1 draw with the Czechs.
Georges Mikautadze’s penalty late within the first half put Georgia in entrance however Patrik Schick chested in an equalizer after the break.
A degree does little for both facet’s hopes of qualification.
Türkiye stay second on three factors, two forward of the Czech Republic and Georgia.
Belgium recuperate
Belgium’s 1-0 defeat to Slovakia was the key shock of the opening spherical, however they made probably the most of a quick begin in Cologne to get their event again on monitor.
Youri Tielemans blasted inside two minutes from Romelu Lukaku’s lay-off to burst Romania’s bubble after their spectacular 3-0 win over Ukraine within the opening recreation in Group E.
Lukaku, who had two objectives disallowed in opposition to Slovakia, was once more denied by the best of offside calls in a pulsating second half.
Valentin Mihaila and Dennis Man had probabilities to degree for Romania however Belgium captain Kevin De Bruyne rounded off a high quality particular person show with the second aim to seal victory 10 minutes from time.
“I’m very relieved that we won the game,” stated Belgium boss Domenico Tedesco.
“I think it was possible to score three, four or five goals tonight. It’s great we create these kinds of chances and we need to say patient.”
The group is now fascinatingly poised with all 4 sides on three factors after Ukraine beat Slovakia 2-1 on Friday.
Belgium face Ukraine subsequent, whereas Romania tackle Slovakia with all to play for.
Source: www.dailysabah.com