Euro 2024

THERE may be no “I” in team but there’s two in Cristiano Ronaldo.Yet something strange happened in the 55th minute.Portugal have booked their spot in the last 16Credit: GettyTurkey looked out of their depth against the Portuguese starsCredit: ReutersFaced with the choice of trying to open his account at his sixth Euros or killing off Turkey, Ronaldo unselfishly squared the ball for Bruno Fernandes.And in what had threatened to be a really competitive game, Portugal were three goals ahead and cruising into the last 16.In truth, it was by far the best moment of another low-key performance from Ronaldo.Apart, perhaps, from when he happily posed for a selfie with a young pitch invader – the first of many.READ MORE ON EURO 2024It was Ronaldo’s fellow elder statesman, Pepe, who impressed more as Roberto Martinez’s team stood firm against a vibrant Turkish side who were undone by a calamitous first-half own goal.Not long after Bernardo Silva had given Portugal the lead, Samet Akaydin made a terrible error.The Turkey centre back failed to realise that Altay Bayindir, Manchester United’s back-up goalkeeper, had come out of his goal.As the ball trickled over the line it took Turkey’s hopes with it.Most read in Euro 2024A comical own goal made the score 2-0Credit: ReutersEURO 2024 FREE BETS AND OFFERSThanks to Pepe and a more solid-looking Portugal side, they never really recovered and Fernandes’ goal put them out of their misery.Just like Turkey’s opener in Cologne, this must have felt like a home game for the men in white, with more than 30,000 of those in the ground supporting them.’Says it all’ – Fans fume at Cristiano Ronaldo’s unsportsmanlike gesture at end of Portugal Euro 2024 clash But Portugal coped superbly with the initially intimidating atmosphere.Their mental stability was surely helped by the return to a back four after Roberto Martinez’s quirky 3-4-3 against the Czech Republic, and this was a far more impressive performance from one of the tournament favourites.The inclusion of Bayindir, for the injured Mert Gunok, was one of four changes by Turkey boss Vincenzo Montella.Yet Turkey started like the same dynamic team seen in the 3-1 win over Georgia.Twice in the opening minutes lively left winger Kerem Akturkoglu was close to getting a decisive touch on crosses from the right.But moments after Pepe put in a crucial tackle on Orkun Kokcu, Portugal took the lead.Kokcu’s touch on Nuno Mendes’ cross wrongfooted Ronaldo but not Bernardo, who swept the ball goalwards hard enough that Bayindir could not stop it.Then came Akaydin’s calamitous moment. Ronaldo and Joao Cancelo were still blaming each other for a failed through ball by Cancelo as the Panathinaikos defender went to retrieve.But Akaydin did not look up to check Bayindir’s position and hit a blind backpass which rolled over the line before the ‘keeper or Zeki Celik could stop it.Turkey almost hit back immediately, but Portugal ‘keeper Diogo Costa kept out Akturkoglu’s near-post effort.The game was now end-to-end and thrill-a-minute.Bruno Fernandes and Ronaldo fired off target. With 41 years’ worth of anticipation, Pepe intercepted Akturkoglu’s cutback.Bruno Fernandes added a third for PortugalCredit: GettyEither side of Costa saving from Kokcu, Rafael Leao received a yellow card for diving for the second game in a row and then saw Akaydin harshly booked for a challenge on him.Martinez removed yellow-carded Leao and Palhinha at half time, sending on Pedro Neto and Ruben Neves from his stellar bench.Martinez’s men controlled the start of the second half and then took the game away from Turkey.Ronaldo was just onside from Neves’ through ball, but he wasn’t. Faced with the choice of shooting or giving Fernandes a tap-in, he chose the latter.Soon afterwards, and not for the first time in the game, the 39 year old mistimed a header that he would have buried in his prime.No matter. The game was won. Turkey’s young superstar in the making, Arda Guler, was fit enough only for a late, ineffective cameo. Pepe went off to a standing ovation from the Portugal fans. CR7 stayed on for the full 90, again, giving four more selfie-seekers the chance to try their luck.READ MORE SUN STORIESBut the supporting cast for the Ronaldo show is emerging from his shadow.And if it means winning another Euros, he is happy to play along.Ronaldo posed for a selfie with fans running on the pitchCredit: ReutersOther supporters tried their luckCredit: AP More

FANS reckon Cristiano Ronaldo is a “changed man” after showing a new side to his character in Portugal’s 3-0 romp over Turkey.Viewers even believe the legend, 39, destroyed one of the few criticisms of his game with his surprise role in the clinching goal.Cristiano Ronaldo handed Portugal team-mate Bruno Fernandes a simple chance even though he himself was well placed to scoreCredit: EPAScorer Fernandes celebrates with provider RonaldoCredit: GettyRonaldo turns away after seeing Fernandes finish off his passCredit: EPAPortugal were cruising in their second Euro 2024 group clash, courtesy of Bernardo Silva’s fine finish and an own goal from Samet Akaydin.Then Ronaldo was put clear in the box on 55 minutes with a clear scoring chance.But instead of shooting the ex-Manchester United frontman slipped the ball across – for new Old Trafford hero Bruno Fernandes to slide a simple goal.Ronaldo fans pounced on his his switch from record goal-taker to generous goal-maker to blast past jibes at the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.READ MORE TOP STORIESSome football supporters have suggested the former Real Madrid and Juventus ace is too single-minded when it comes to scoring.But his contribution to Fernandes’ goal led his backers to make observations such as: “If selfless was a man he’s Ronaldo.”Other fans piled in to sarcastically label him a “selfish player” – another nod to a previous reputation they insist is unfounded.One viewer even went a step further by claiming the Al-Nassr star “wouldn’t have passed it 2 years ago either, he got smarter in Saudi Arabia”.MOST READ IN FOOTBALLEURO 2024 LIVE: KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM GERMANYEURO 2024 FREE BETS AND OFFERSAnd as for his all-room contribution, another fan wrote: “Ronaldo was really involved in all 3 goals. Give us that MOTM.”One said of the fortunate moment Portugal made it 2-0: “He is the first player to force an own goal with his aura.”Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with Portugal match-winner Conceicao… 21 years after making his debut alongside his dadMore praise for Ronaldo’s all-round performance flooded in.That included: “Amazing stuff man” and “The greatest of all time”Portugal Euro 2024 guideCRISTIANO 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

How Portugal have performed at the Euros with Cristiano Ronaldo
CRISTIANO RONALDO has been a model of longevity for more than two decades in an outstanding international career.
Euro 2004
After making his international debut in 2003, Ronaldo’s first Euros came in 2004.
Ronaldo marked his Euro debut with a goal in a 2-1 defeat to Greece – his first for Portugal.
He scored his second in the semi-final win over the Netherlands, but Portugal met Greece again in the final, losing 1-0 in shock result.
Euro 2008
Ronaldo was Portugal captain four years later but Euro 2008 was the least impactful tournament he’s had.
There was still time for a standout performance, though, as Ronaldo scored once and set up two more in a group-stage win over the Czech Republic.
Euro 2012
Playing at Real Madrid at the time, Ronaldo was the top goalscorer at Euro 2012, with three goals, including a brace in the group stage against the Netherlands.
Portugal’s quarter-final against Czech Republic was heading towards a stalemate with 10 minutes to go and they needed a special moment from him.
His powerful header in the dying minutes took Portugal to the semi-finals where they lost on penalties to Spain.
Euro 2016
Ronaldo scored three goals in Euro 2016, with Portugal crowned CHAMPIONS after defeating France 1-0 in extra time in the final.
After suffering an injury inside the opening 16 minutes against France, he was forced to watch from the sidelines.
Yet the Portugal captain became a cheerleader, and helped coach his team-mates to the historic victory.
He matched Michel Platini’s record of nine goals by the end of Euro 2016.
Euro 2020
Ronaldo made history again with FIVE goals at Euro 2020, the most of any player at a Euros.
Yet it was arguably Portugal’s least exciting affair, as they exited in the Round of 16 following a 1-0 defeat to Belgium.
With his goals in this tournament, Ronaldo became the top goalscorer at the European Championship with 14 goals. More

CRISTIANO RONALDO still managed to grab the attention despite Portugal scoring the “funniest goal of Euro 2024”.Portugal doubled their lead over Turkey after 28 minutes when Samet Akaydin played the ball into his own net to make it 2-0.Turkey scored a hilarious own goal to put Portugal 2-0 upCredit: ReutersJoao Cancelo had the chance to play Cristiano Ronaldo in behindCredit: ITV He mistimed his pass and left Ronaldo flapping his arms around in frustrationCredit: ITV The loose ball was picked up by Samet AkaydinCredit: ITV He unbelievably passed it into his own netCredit: ITV Ronaldo turned away as the goal went inCredit: ITV He quickly forgave Cancelo as they celebrated going two goals upCredit: ITV Portugal were putting together a dangerous attack with Joao Cancelo on the ball and Ronaldo making a run in behind.But their efforts seemed to go to waste after the pair found themselves on different wavelengths and Cancelo mistimed his pass.Fortunately for Roberto Martinez’s side, Akaydin came across to calmly deal with the danger and unbelievably passed the ball beyond Turkey keeper Altay Bayindir and into the back of the net.Despite the sensational own goal, fans were more interested in Ronaldo’s reaction to not getting the chance for himself.READ MORE IN EURO 2024EURO 2024 LIVE: KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM GERMANYThe Al Nassr superstar had thrown his hands in the air when he wasn’t fed through by Cancelo and could even be seen complaining as the ball crossed the line.Fans took to social media to react to Ronaldo’s on-pitch strop.One fan wrote: “Funniest goal so far! Made even funnier by Ronaldo raging in the background!”While another added: “That has everything. Ronaldo was still huffing with Cancelo as the ball rolled in!”Most read in Euro 2024EURO 2024 FREE BETS AND OFFERSA third commented: “Loool Ronaldo throwing a strop cause the ball didn’t make it to him”.And a fourth wrote: “Ronaldo still throwing a strop as the ball rolls in lmao.”‘Says it all’ – Fans fume at Cristiano Ronaldo’s unsportsmanlike gesture at end of Portugal Euro 2024 clash Everything was squashed quickly between Ronaldo and Cancelo as they had a hug following the goal to celebrate doubling their lead.And they look to have put themselves in a great position to book their spot in the knockouts after going on to win 3-0 – helping them keep things sweet in the dressing room. More

ENGLAND manager Gareth Southgate appeared baffled by a bizarre question during a Euro 2024 press conference.But, despite the random query, the Three Lions boss remained humble with his response.Gareth Southgate gave a very humble answer to a strange question at a recent press conferenceThe strange incident began when a Moroccan journalist asked Southgate what advice he could give Morocco’s coach Walid Regragui.Famously, the African side finished fourth at the World Cup in Qatar in 2022.The question confused Southgate, whose England side only mustered a quarter-final appearance before they were knocked out by France.He replied: “You got to the semi-final, didn’t you?”Read more football news “We didn’t. So, how can I give advice to your coach?”England face Slovenia in their final group game on Tuesday – knowing a win will see them top the group.However, the team have faced criticism for their flat performance against Denmark in the 1-1 draw.According to the Daily Mail, England’s most experienced squad members have made an effort to ensure everyone remains calm and doesn’t panic after the points were shared.Most read in Euro 2024In a post match interview, Southgate also said he believed England are missing Kalvin Phillips – who played an integral role in their run to the Euro 2020 final- but his comments have been slammed by Gary Lineker.England fans’ must-watch guide to Cologne ahead of Three Lions’ Euro 2024 clash vs SloveniaTrent Alexander-Arnold has been used in a central midfield role alongside Declan Rice.However, that tactical experiment didn’t appear to work against the Danes.He said: “We know it is an experiment – we don’t have a natural replacement for Kalvin Phillips – but we are trying some different things.”At the moment, we are not flowing as we would like, that’s for sure.”Meanwhile, former England boss Glenn Hoddle has urged Southgate to walk away from his post – backing Pep Guardiola as his replacement. More