Portugal has powered through to the UEFA Euro 2024 knockout stages with a commanding 3-0 win over Turkey, cementing their position at the top of Group F. The match, held in Dortmund, showcased Portugal’s dominance, with goals from Bernardo Silva, a fortuitous own goal by Turkey’s Samet Akaydin, and a strike from Bruno Fernandes, who capitalized on a historic assist from Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo’s 7th assist in the tournament sets a new record, surpassing the previous held by Karel Poborsky. The victory was marked by Portugal’s cohesive play and the strategic acumen of coach Roberto Martínez, who can now afford to rest key players ahead of their final group match against Georgia.In contrast, Belgium’s coach Domenico Tedesco has voiced concerns over his team’s finishing abilities, despite securing a much-needed 2-0 win over Romania. Goals from Youri Tielemans and Kevin De Bruyne were the highlights of a match that saw Belgium’s royal couple, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, in attendance in Cologne. Tedesco emphasized the need for Belgium to develop a ‘killer instinct’ to thrive in the latter stages of the tournament. Belgium’s next challenge is a crucial group stage match against Ukraine, where a win is vital for their progression.The results leave Group F with Portugal confidently leading with six points, while the other teams, including Turkey, the Czech Republic, and Georgia, vie for the remaining spots in the knockout phase. Turkey’s path to advancement now hinges on their final group game against the Czech Republic, a match that promises to be decisive.
Key points
- Portugal secures a spot in the Euro 2024 knockout stages with a 3-0 win over Turkey.
- Cristiano Ronaldo sets a new tournament assist record, contributing to Portugal’s victory.
- Belgium’s coach, Domenico Tedesco, calls for better efficiency despite a 2-0 win against Romania.
