Portugal battered Turkiye 3-0 in Dortmund on Saturday as the stacked Portuguese side breezed into the last 16 of the competition and won Group F in the process.
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Bernardo Silva put them ahead, then a comical own goal from Samit Akaydin put them in a commanding position before half time. Bruno Fernandes added a third early in the second half to put the result beyond doubt as Roberto Martinez’s hugely talented side have reached the knockout round with minimum fuss.
Turkiye go to Hamburg to face Czechia in their final group game and still have a very good chance of reaching the last 16. If they win they’re in and as long as they avoid defeat that have a great chance of reaching the knockout rounds. All is not lose for Vincenzo Montella’s said but they’ll have to be much better defensively than they were against Portugal.
Portugal have to be among the favorites
If you weren’t already putting Portugal among your favorites to win it all, now you should. The fact they’ve won Group F gives them a great path into the knockout rounds too as they play a third-place team in the last 16, then an easier potential quarterfinal. The Portuguese are stacked in midfield and attack, have experience throughout and ripped Turkiye to pieces in so many ways. They can control the tempo of a game, be nasty to play against and the duo of Leao and Mendes on the left can demolish you with their pace. Roberto Martinez has created a fluid, fearless side which can beat you in so many different ways. Not to mention the individual quality of Ronaldo, Silva, Fernandes and Co. It’s not too late to get on this Portuguese hype train. But hurry up. It’s leaving.
Turkiye vs Portugal player ratings
Via our friends at FotMob.com you can see the midfield trio of Silva, Fernandes and Vitinha were dominant. Pepe and Ruben Dias were exceptional at center back too.
What’s next?
Portugal face Georgia in Gelsenkirchen on Wednesday, June 26 aiming to make it three wins from three, while Turkiye and Czechia meet on the same day in Hamburg in what should be an almighty scrap as the Turkish side know a win will definitely see them through to the last 16.
How to watch Turkiye vs Portugal, stream link and start time
Kick off: Saturday (June 22), 12pm ET
Stadium: BVB Stadium, Dortmund
How to watch on TV in USA: Fox Sports
Turkiye vs Portugal final score: 0-3
Silva 22', Akaydin 28', Fernandes 56'
Turkiye vs Portugal live updates! - By Joe Prince-Wright
Pepe comes off to a standing ovation; Guler dazzles
What a performance from Pepe and both sets of fans give him an incredible ovation. He rolled back the years at center back. What a 41-year-old machine. At the other end Turkish substitute Arda Guler has looked excellent since he came on. He was struggling with an injury, so didn’t start.
Ronaldo has a chance
A cross into the box finds Ronaldo but he gets the timing wrong on his header and it goes harmlessly away from goal. There have also been a string of pitch invaders trying to get selfies with Ronaldo. He smiled for the first one with a small child, but the other attempts have just been too much.
Bruno Fernandes taps home after Ronaldo races clear - Turkiye 0-3 Portugal (56th minute)
That should be that. Ronaldo beats the offside trap as Celik is caught out and he squares for Bruno Fernandes to tap home. So easy for Portugal. So poor defensively from Turkiye.
So easy for Portugal. Cristiano Ronaldo squares for Bruno Fernandes to slot home. #EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/RD0g63ceqW
— Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) June 22, 2024
Half time: Turkiye 0-2 Portugal
A nightmare first half for Turkiye, who have had their chances. But Portugal have buried their one big chance and were given another goal through that wild own goal. Can Turkiye respond? Or will Portugal’s superstars put this game to bed early in the second half?
Akturkoglu tests Costa down low
Turkiye are trying to get back in the game and Akturkoglu drives into the box and tests Costa down low but Portugal’s goalkeeper saves well.
Calamitous own goal - Turkiye 0-2 Portugal (28th minute)
Oh my word. That is a horrendous own goal from Turkiye. Samit Akaydin doesn’t look and plays a back pass and goalkeeper Altay Bayindir was way out of his goal and coming for it. The ball rolls over the line. Portugal 2-0 up against Turkiye. Shambles.
WHAT JUST HAPPENED!?!?! 😳
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 22, 2024
PORTUGAL SOMEHOW DOUBLES ITS LEAD 😅 pic.twitter.com/SfL2EBfv1i
Bernardo Silva gives Portugal the lead! - Turkiye 0-1 Portugal (21st minute)
Great play from Leao and Mendes down the left and the latter crosses for Bernardo Silva to slam home his first-ever tournament goal. Wild celebrations from the Portugal players and fans. The Turkiye fans in Dortmund have gone a bit quiet now.
🔥 Bernardo Silva slams home and Portugal lead against Turkiye! The Portuguese side have looked incredibly dangerous out wide early on. Such fluid movement. #EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/Bo88ltPLYM
— Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) June 22, 2024
Pepe with a crunching tackle to stop a Turkiye counter
Wonderful play from Turkiye to pass out from the back and set up a counter but Pepe, 41 years young, is there to launch himself into a crunching tackle and stop the counter attack in its tracks. Brilliant defending.
Rafael Leao tries to run free but his cross is blocked
Cristiano Ronaldo is popping up on the right and Leao is looking lively on the left. Leao runs free but his cross is blocked and hits him and goes out for a goal kick. Better from Portugal who are starting to gain some control of the game.
Turkiye should be 1-0 up!
How are Turkiye not ahead? Brilliant cross from Celik but Akturkoglu can’t convert at the back post and somehow Portugal clear. The Turkiye fans are roaring their team on.
Wonderful scenes in Dortmund
We are off and running in Dortmund and there is an incredible atmosphere. It is like a home game for Turkey! They have started well and Portugal are under pressure.
Turkiye lineup
Bayindir; Celik, Akaydin, Bardakci, Kadioglu; Calhanoglu, Ayhan; Akgun, Kokcu, Akturkoglu; Yilmaz
Portugal lineup
Costa; Cancelo, Dias, Pepe, Mendes; Vitinha, Palhinha, Fernandes; Silva, Ronaldo, Leao
Turkiye team news, focus
Midfielders Kokcu, Calhanoglu and Yildiz will once again support center forward Yilmaz with their fine midfield play and Turkey look so dangerous in attack and commit plenty of players forward. They are a lot of fun to watch and will go at Portugal.
Portugal team news, focus
Diogo Jota, Francisco Conceicao and Pedro Neto are all pushing for starts after they did so well off the bench in the opener but Ronaldo, Leao and Silva are the starters. For now. Portugal looked solid enough defensively.
Turkiye vs Portugal prediction
This is going to be a fun game with plenty of chances and it feels like Portugal’s star quality will just give them the edge. Turkey 2-3 Portugal.