A disastrous own goal aided Portugal in clinching a 3-0 victory over Turkey in Dortmund, securing their spot in the UEFA Euro 2024 knockout stages with a match remaining.
Turkey endured their fourth goalless loss to the 2016 champions.
Goalkeeper Altay Bayındır, one of four new starters for Turkey after their win over Georgia, faced a quick challenge as Cristiano Ronaldo volleyed Bernardo Silva’s cross a minute in.
Kerem Akturkoglu, also rotated in, missed a close-range chance from Zeki Celik’s cross five minutes later. Portugal capitalized midway through the first half when Nuno Mendes’ cross deflected to Bernardo Silva, who scored to give Portugal the lead.
Seven minutes later, Portugal’s lead doubled in a bizarre manner. Cristiano Ronaldo showed frustration when Joao Cancelo’s weak pass was intercepted by Samet Akaydin, who then misjudged his backpass to Bayındır, allowing the ball to roll into the net.
Kerem Akturkoglu nearly responded for Turkey, but Diogo Costa saved at his near post. Before halftime, Bruno Fernandes and Ronaldo missed chances.
Ten minutes into the second half, Portugal capitalized on more sloppy Turkish defending to score a third.
A lax defense left Ronaldo onside, enabling him to collect Ruben Neves’ long pass and run unchallenged towards goal. He then drew the goalkeeper and passed to Fernandes, who easily scored into an empty net.
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