WINNING starts for both Portugal and Turkey at Euro 2024 have set up a mouth-watering clash in Group F.
Turkey top the group on goal difference after a 3-1 win over Georgia on match one.
Mert Muldur got his nation off to the perfect start after 25 minutes when he thundered a volley into the top corner from just outside the corner.
Georgia hit back before Arda Guler curled a goal of the tournament contender into the top left corner in the second half.
A third then went in as Georgia sent their goalkeeper up for a last-minute corner to try and snatch an equaliser.
Turkey’s best ever result at a Euros is a semi-final in 2008, and it is ironic that a year when no one considered them dark horses, they look their most dangerous since then.
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Portugal’s opening game proved to be a far harder road to victory.
They went a goal behind against the Czech Republic before managing to get back into the game through an own goal minutes later.
They had the ball in the net through Diogo Jota before the goal was ruled out for offside against Cristiano Ronaldo, whose presence on the pitch appeared to suffocate the attacking impetus of the team.
But super-subs Pedro Neto and Francisco Conceicao combined off the bench to win the game and grab three crucial points for Portugal.
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Turkey Euro 2024 guide
AFTER tournament semi-finals in 2002 and 2008, Turkey have suffered something of a lost decade in international football.
But they still have plenty of talent such as set piece specialist Hakan Calhanoglu and Arda Guler, who Jude Bellingham labelled the most gifted player he has ever seen.
MANAGER: Vincenzo Montella
Roma legend has had a mixed record in club management, but has excelled in his first international job with the Turks breezing past Croatia and Wales in qualifying.
STAR MAN: Hakan Calhanoglu
Known for his deadly free kicks, Calhanoglu helped Inter Milan to the Champions League final in 2023.
How Turkey attack
Turkey are patient in creating the correct shape to play through the thirds – but then aggressive when the attacking passing lanes open up.
As they move the ball into the middle they will use longer passes into wide areas where their wide attackers and full-backs look to overload the opposition.
How Turkey defend
Turkey have a lot of experienced and physical players who understand how to create pressing traps like this to force a mistake from the opposition.
They excel at creating a high defensive block, often forcing even the best teams to play long in order to neutralise it.
Read the full Turkey Euro 2024 guide here, including predicted line-ups, odds and Wags
Portugal Euro 2024 guide
CRISTIANO RONALDO remains the face of Portuguese football as the national team looks to win a second European Championship.
But the days when Portugal’s hopes would hang on Ronaldo, 39, alone are over as they have a squad packed with talent across the pitch.
MANAGER: Roberto Martinez
Former Everton, Wigan and Belgium boss is trying to put a more attacking stamp on a team that became increasingly dull under Euro 2016-winning predecessor Fernando Santos.
STAR MAN: Cristiano Ronaldo
Al-Nassr star remains an ever-present but PSG’s Goncalo Ramos and Liverpool’s Diogo Jota are both world class backups.
How Portugal attack
Ruben Dias, Goncalo Inacio and Joao Palhinha are all capable of building attacks from the back, given Portugal a unique dimension to their attack.
Attacking midfielders Bruno Fernandes and Joao Felix can cause any defence problems as they look to feed Ronaldo and/or Ramos.
How Portugal defend
In contrast to the approach under Santos, Portugal will play with a medium-to-high block and look to win possession up the field.
Players will press aggressively to provide support for Ronaldo, who clearly tends to do less work defensively.
Read the full Portugal Euro 2024 guide here, including predicted line-ups, odds and Wags
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What does their form look like?
Before Euro 2024, Portugal had won nine of their last ten games, with a number of these results ended in rousing wins for The Selecao.
However, the one team they played from inside the top ten of Fifa’s rankings in that run, Croatia, they lost to.
Meanwhile, Turkey had actually lost three of their last five, including a 6-1 thrashing by Austria and draw with Wales.
At tournament football form and record goes out the window, and that is lucky for fans as this game may have been a foregone conclusion.
When playing against one another, Portugal have beaten the Crescent-Stars seven times.
Meanwhile they have only suffered two defeats.
What is the team news and any injuries to worry about?
Turkey are unlikely to change a winning formula after their strong performance against Georgia.
İrfan Can Kahveci, who missed that game through injury, is still doing light training so is unlikely to return to the fold.
Meanwhile, Portugal may see fit to tweak their tactics after they had to throw the kitchen sink in their first game to get anything from it.
Goncalo Inacio could be a more natural fit for the team if they elect to switch to a back four, likely with Diogo Dalot dropping out.
Who will be the star men?
Arda Guler
At just 19 years old, Real Madrid star Guler is carrying the hopes of his country on his shoulders.
His screamer against Georgia showed he is not one to shy away from the occasion, and a strong performance against Portugal will be vital if they are to get anything from the game.
Bruno Fernandes
While Ronaldo is leading the line for his nation once again, it it the stars around him carrying the load of the performance.
That includes midfielders such as Bruno Fernandes, who is among the most dangerous creative players in the world.
What have the managers said?
Turkey boss Vincenzo Montella called the opening win the “best present” he could have got from the game, and he has called on his players to achieve even more dreams by beating Portugal.
He said: “Our dreams were very much focused on this (Georgia) match.
“We managed to win [our first game of the tournament] for the first time, so there will be a lot of first times.”
He added: “Then more dreams will emerge.”
Belgium manager Roberto Martinez was more analytical of their opener.
He said: “Today it’s not about assessing this game from the technical or tactical point of view.
“We won because we showed resilience, willpower and belief. It’s the first time we’ve come from behind to win [under my tenure]. We believed, we showed incredible personality.
“It’s a game where we had 13 corners; the Czech Republic had none. If we scored early we could have won by three or four goals.
“The atmosphere was incredible. Our fans did not deserve to lose this game.”
He added: “The important thing is not the starting eleven, but how the game ends. We showed we had prepared well.”
SunSport prediction
Turkey and Portugal both have an incredible level of firepower.
We reckon this game will go down to the wire but Portugal’s quality should be made to count.
Turkey 2-3 Portugal
When is Turkey vs Portugal?
- Portugal’s second Euro 2024 Group F clash against Turkey will take place on Saturday, June 22.
- It is scheduled to get underway at 5pm BST – 6pm local time.
- Signal Iduna Park – the home of Borussia Dortmund will is the allocated arena for this huge match and it can host approximately 81, 365 passionate fans.
- Fernando Santos’ side comfortably beat Turkey 3-1 when the sides last met in a 2022 World Cup semi-final play-off.
What TV channel is it on and can it be live streamed?
- Portugal vs Turkey will be broadcast on ITV 1 in the UK.
- Fans can stream the entire action via ITV X which is available on a compatible tablet device or mobile phone.
- Alternatively, SunSport will have minute-by-minute action of the whole match.
Can I watch it for FREE?
YES!
Portugal’s huge match against Turkey can be watched for FREE as long as you have a valid TV license in the UK.
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What are the odds?
- Turkey – 24/5
- Draw – 16/5
- Portugal – 4/7
*Odds from William Hill are correct at time of publication
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
