The team led by superstar Cristiano Ronaldo secured their second victory in Group F on Saturday in Dortmund with a 3-0 (2-0) win against Turkey, making them the group winners. The defensively shaky Turks still have all the trump cards in their hands on the last matchday against the Czech Republic.
Dortmund. Portugal were already 2-0 ahead at half-time thanks to a goal by Bernardo Silva in the 21st minute and an own goal by Samet Akaydin (28th) – the sixth overall at this European Championship. After the break, Bruno Fernandes (56th) made things clear after a selfless pass from Ronaldo.
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It is now certain that the 2016 European champions will play their round of 16 match on Monday, July 1st, against one of the four best third-placed teams in the group. This cannot be Austria due to the tournament arithmetic. Turkey is currently second with three points. The course towards the knockout phase is therefore still on the right track, even if their performance was difficult to improve on this time.
Goalscorers on the bench
The Turkish coach, Vincenzo Montella, had already caused astonishment with his line-up before the game began. Both goalscorers in the 2-0 victory against Georgia – young star Arda Güler and Vienna-born Mert Müldür – had to start on the bench. Kenan Yildiz also had to make way due to a decision by the coaches, while goalkeeper Mert Günok was absent due to a minor injury. Altay Bayindir started in goal for the quartet, along with Zeki Celik, Yunus Akgun and Kerem Aktürgoglu. For the Portuguese, Joao Palhinha made his first appearance in the tournament in midfield, while Diogo Dalot was on the bench.
In terms of the basic formation, this meant moving away from the three-man defence and returning to a back four. The Portuguese, who pressed hard, started well, but without any clear chances. On the other hand, Aktürgoglu (6th) missed the first big chance of the game after a cross from Roma right-back Celik. The south stand in Borussia Dortmund’s stadium, which is normally bathed in yellow, presented itself as a red and white wall, just like in the first game, and most of them had already let out the goal-scoring shout.
Own goal
Portugal then held onto the ball for most of the first half and took the lead with an attack down the left. Nuno Mendes’ low cross was missed by a stumbling Ronaldo in the middle, and Silva was in the right place instead and scored with his left foot. Just six minutes later, central defender Akaydin unnecessarily played the ball past his goalkeeper into his own net. Communication had clearly not worked at all. This was the second time Portugal had benefited from an own goal at the European Championships, after the Czech Robin Hranac had scored inadvertently in the first game.
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Image: (APA/AFP/KENZO TRIBOUILLARD)
Source: Nachrichten
