In their Group F match, Portugal defeated Turkey 3-0, with goals from Silva at 21 minutes, Akaydin’s own goal at 28 minutes, and Fernandes at 56 minutes. In the same match, Cristiano Ronaldo fell one short of Karel Poborský’s European Championship finals record of eight assists. This feat prompted a journalist to marvel at the football star’s incredible achievement, but it was clear Ronaldo had to play his part.
Ignoring Fernandes’ instinctive run could have reopened the cracks that Portugal’s coach, Roberto Martinez, had managed to mend since the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Ronaldo’s generous assist sealed the deal at 3-0, securing Portugal’s position in the last 16 as Group F champions. However, their upcoming game against Georgia in Gelsenkirchen on Wednesday holds no significance for them, but is of utmost importance for Wily Sagnol’s team, following their draw with the Czech Republic.
Over 45 minutes in, Turkey suffered continuous pressure from Portugal. Ronaldo was aiming to make history as the first and possibly the only individual to score in six European Championships. Regardless of his efforts, it was becoming clear that the 39-year-old was shifting away from the spotlight. The national team no longer heavily relied on their highest-scoring player and captain’s performance.
Despite his contribution as an adept decoy runner in international football, the key to Portugal’s success in the 2024 European Championship may lie in the performances of other players such as Rafael Leão and Nuno Mendes, who gave Turkey’s right back Zeki Çelik a game to remember. Not to mention Bernardo Silva’s unrivalled runs into the penalty area, Bruno Fernandes’ command in midfield, and João Cancelo boasting an impressive Champions League force.
Ronaldo’s involvement in the first goal was apparent, despite not being the intended recipient of the cross. He created a couple of opportunities for himself; a subdued shot and a light header, which barely tested Manchester United’s substitute goalkeeper, Altay Bayındır. The Turkey defence was broken down when Leão partnered with Mendes, who provided a low cross while Ronaldo was tumbling trying to adjust his rush towards the goalmouth. His missed chance allowed for Silva’s late charge to secure the goal.
Turkey persevered in the match until an unfortunate own goal by Samet Akaydin took place in the 28th minute. This was subsequent to a Portuguese offensive concluding with Cancelo criticizing Ronaldo for missing his pass to the open field. Although danger seemed to have subsided, Akaydin’s misplaced back pass, not taking into account Bayındır’s position, caused problems.
Altay rushed back to the goal like someone who senses their cake is overcooking in the oven. Goalkeeper Zeki Çelik reached the goal quicker, clearing it after the deed had been done. Both Cancelo and Ronaldo shared a spontaneous laugh, followed by a celebratory embrace.
Following their victory over Georgia the previous week, nobody would blame Turkey if they decided to call it quits, especially with an impending match against the Czech Republic in Hamburg come Wednesday, to determine who secures the runner-up position in Group F. But collapsing the Turkish initiative is far from possible on such days. The 2022 Doha World Cup had a familiar atmosphere for Morocco due to the substantial diaspora working in the region. Similarly, almost seven million people of Turkish descent reside in Germany, with around a million in North Rhine-Westphalia alone. They too could possibly ride this momentum towards the semi-finals, envisaged to be back in Dortmund on the 10th of July.
The Portuguese side, along with their individual Ronaldo fans who traveled in large numbers from North America and Asia, could not compete against the jam-packed Borussia Dortmund’s stadium. The local supporters offered the complete Turkish ambiance in what has been a pleasant competition for the fans, apart from Germany’s failing transport system.
On Saturday morning, this journalist encountered another terrifying event when the train heading to Dortmund from Düsseldorf was temporarily sealed off at the central station due to a suspicious device found close to the platform. It’s only fair to applaud the German police for their handling of the situation, similar to their effective management of a precarious situation involving Spanish and Italian supporters in Gelsenkirchen the previous Thursday evening. Both scenarios threatened to escalate alarmingly.
Ronaldo received a rather hostile reception at the Westfalenstadion even before he set foot on the field. Assuming he was one of the three Portuguese goalkeepers out for a warm-up before the game, the local crowd created a raucous atmosphere. The collective laughter, on realizing their error, was deafening. When Ronaldo eventually stepped onto the pitch, the usual adulatory “Roooo” chant was overwhelmed by vehement wolf-whistles.
The outcome might have been drastically different. Early on in the sixth minute, amid a crescendo of Turkish cheering, Çelik set up Kerem Aktürkoğlu. Trapped between Cancelo and Rúben Dias, the Galatasaray winger sadly did not deliver.
Amidst the chaos, a tiny breach in security occurred just before the closing whistle, as a little one darted across the pitch. The youngster reached midfield where he managed to capture a quick selfie with Ronaldo, quickly evading the stewards amidst enthusiastic applause.
This served as a reminder to the subdued Turkish fans that there would, indeed, be a future post-Portugal. Their next stop, Hamburg.