Turkiye 0-3 Portugal: Ronaldo breaks assist record as Selecao top Group F

Cristiano Ronaldo became the European Championships’ record assist-maker as Portugal won Group F with a 3-0 victory over Turkiye at Euro 2024 on Saturday.

Having won late against Czechia in their opening game of the tournament, Roberto Martinez’s side knew an improved display was needed on matchday two in Dortmund.

The Selecao dominated from start to finish, with defensive errors aiding their triumph as Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes netted either side of a calamitous Samet Akaydin own goal.

Portugal now have the luxury of being able to rest key players when they face Georgia in Gelsenkirchen next Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Turkiye know they must avoid defeat against Czechia to be certain of their progression to the knockout stages.

23 – Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo won his 23rd match at major tournaments (World Cup/European Championship); only Miroslav Klose and Bastian Schweinsteiger have celebrated more such victories in history (25 each). Longevity. #TURPOR #EURo2024 pic.twitter.com/cxoakMsArI

— OptaFranz (@OptaFranz) June 22, 2024

With Arda Guler and Kenan Yildiz, who starred in Turkiye’s opener against Georgia, both on the bench, Portugal were able to dominate from the off and went ahead after 21 minutes.

A slick move down the left-hand side saw Nuno Mendes’ delivery deflect kindly into the path of Silva, who swept the ball home from inside the area for his first goal at a major tournament.

But for all their intricate passing play, Portugal would double their lead in comical fashion. Joao Cancelo’s attempted pass to Ronaldo was cut out by Akaydin, but the defender sent a blind back pass beyond Altay Bayindir to score the sixth own goal of Euro 2024.

The Selecao further extended their advantage 10 minutes into the second half, profiting from more poor defending from Vincenzo Montella’s side.

A simple ball over the top picked out Ronaldo as he was played onside by Zeki Celik, and with the goal at his mercy, he unselfishly squared for Fernandes to tap home.

Ronaldo’s assist was his seventh at the European Championships overall, the most of any player since records began in 1968. He also holds the all-time goalscoring record with 14.

Portugal tried to add to their tally as Silva saw his effort blocked late on, but they did not need a fourth as they clinched progression to the last 16.

7 – Cristiano Ronaldo has made seven assists in 27 appearances at the European Championship finals, becoming the player with the most assists at the tournament since at least 1968 (Karel Poborský , six). Gift. pic.twitter.com/cthmkoIzfl

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) June 22, 2024

Bernardo breaks major tournament duck

With 11 goals and 10 assists for Manchester City this past season, it is incredible to think Silva had yet to register a goal involvement at an international tournament until Euro 2024.

The 29-year-old finished well when presented with the first clear chance of the contest, and his overall play was excellent as Portugal cruised.

Silva created more chances (three) than anyone else on the pitch, while also recording a 92.2% pass accuracy from 51 attempted passes.

It took 15 appearances and 950 minutes of action, but Bernardo Silva finally has his first goal involvement at a major international tournament #TURPOR pic.twitter.com/EBPBf2C0tq

— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) June 22, 2024

Defensive howlers cost Turkiye

Having impressed in the forward areas against Georgia in their opening Group F fixture, all eyes will now be fixed on Turkiye’s defence following an error-strewn display.

Perhaps a breakdown in communication contributed to the own goal after Bayindir was brought in between the sticks, and now Montella has a decision to make as to who he starts against Czechia next week.

Turkiye have now lost all four of their encounters with Portugal at the Euros without scoring a single goal: 1-0 in 1996 (group stages), 2-0 in 2000 (quarter-finals) and 2-0 in 2008 (group stages).

2 – Turkey’s Samet Akaydin is the second player to score an own goal from outside the box in the history of the European Championship finals, after Pedri Gonzalez for Spain against Croatia in EURO 2020. Unfortunate. pic.twitter.com/9FbIiaI91j

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) June 22, 2024