Turkey v Portugal: Cristiano Ronaldo helps side breeze into last 16 of Euro 2024

Legendary striker lays on goal for Bruno Fernandes in easy 3-0 win in Dortmund

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo in action during a Group F match between Turkey and Portugal at Euro 2024. AP

One of several pitch invaders is led away. Getty Images

Pepe of Portugal interacts with the fans. Getty Images

Turkey's Samet Akaydin scores an own goal. Reuters

Portugal's fans cheer on their team. AFP

Portugal's Bruno Fernandes. AP

Turkey players leave the field at the end. AP

Portugal's head coach Roberto Martinez. AFP

Portugal swept into the last 16 of Euro 2024 on Saturday after comfortably seeing off Turkey 3-0 and guaranteeing first place in Group F.

Bernardo Silva's fine finish in the 21st minute, a comical Samet Akaydin own goal shortly afterwards and Bruno Fernandes's second-half tap-in gave Portugal a straightforward win in front of swathes of passionate Turkish fans in Dortmund.

Portugal looked every inch a team aiming to win their second European Championship after triumphing in 2016, their star-studded line-up easily dealing with Vincenzo Montella's enthusiastic but limited Turkey team.

Cristiano Ronaldo will have at least two more tries to become the oldest goalscorer at a European Championship as Martinez said on Friday that the 39-year-old is in the right shape to play every four days.

It was Ronaldo who unselfishly set up Fernandes for a simple goal in the 56th minute after springing through Turkey's offside trap, and he then had time to pose for a selfie with a child fan who invaded the pitch midway through the second half.

Martinez's side, on a perfect six points, will face one of the four best third-place finishers in the next round and go into their final group game against Georgia without any pressure for a result.

The same cannot be said for Turkey who need a draw against the Czech Republic on Wednesday to ensure second place.

Turkey's passionate support again flocked to the Westfalenstadion in huge numbers, with long tailbacks on the roads leading to the ground several hours before kick-off.

Some fans sat on the top of cars leading chants among the thousands of supporters who crawled towards their destination.

Once inside, what was effectively a home crowd let out a deafening chorus of whistles and jeers when Portugal jogged out for their pre-match warm-up.

However, once the match got underway there was a clear gap in class between the two sides and Portugal went deservedly ahead through Silva as the Manchester City midfielder confidently smashed in Nuno Mendes's deflected low cross.

Soon after, Akaydin gifted Portugal a two-goal lead with his sloppy backpass which turned into an own goal as Zeki Celik and goalkeeper Altay Bayindir tried in vain to prevent the ball crossing the line.

Those two goals and the dominance of the Portuguese players quietened down the partisan crowd and the result was sealed when Fernandes stroked home his former Manchester United teammate Ronaldo's present of a pass.

The Portugal fans then turned up the volume to celebrate their country reaching the last 16.

And cheers then rang around the ground from both sets of supporters as a pint-sized fan ran onto the pitch midway through the second half, just as the game was stopped to allow Nelson Semedo to replace Joao Cancelo for Portugal.

A young pitch invader takes a selfie with Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo. AP

The youngster was cool enough to grab an amused Ronaldo for a photo and then dashed off on a mazy run his hero would have been proud of, dropping his shoulder on security staff before eventually being carted away from the pitch.

Ronaldo was less amused when five much larger fans then made copycat bids for selfies, only to be showered with boos and refused a photo before annoyed stewards reached them.

“That’s the price you pay for being so recognized in the world of football,” joked Silva, Ronaldo’s Portugal teammate.

Ronaldo's assist, his eighth at a Euros to go along with his record 14 goals, brought praise from his manager.

“It was a pure moment of Portuguese football,” Martinez said of his captain. “It should be shown in every academy in world football.”

Turkey 0-3 Portugal - player ratings

TURKEY RATINGS. Let in three and played his part in horrible mix up for second goal. Reuters

One first-half cross should have led to the opener. Fell asleep and played Ronaldo onside in prelude to goal number three. Booked for dissent. AFP

Will have nightmares about the no look back-pass that gifted Portugal a 2-0 lead. Harshly booked but needs to stay on his feet more. A bit of a disaster all round. Getty Images

Never convinced. Too quick to go to ground. Dived in recklessly as Ronalso set up the third. Booked. Getty Images

The only member of Turkey's back four not to be booked. Had a difficult game but kept going. AP

Got on the ball and a couple of decent passes early on as Turkey looked to break at pace. Disappeared as Portugal took over. EPA

One glorious switch of play led to great chance for Akturkoglu in early going but struggled to impact game and set-piece deliveries were below his usual high standard. EPA

Missed big chance early in game. Tested Costa after wriggling free in a rare Turkey attack. Withdrawn on the hour. EPA

Deflected the ball into Silva's path for opening goal. Hooked at half-time. Getty Images

Lively enough in the opening exchanges but anonymous after that. Failed to track Mendes in build-up to opener. Replaced by Guler with 20 minutes remaining. Getty Images

Starved of service and completely ineffective. AFP

TURKEY SUBS. (On for Kokcu, 45'): Tried to add energy but was parachuted into a losing effort. EPA

(On for Akturkoglu, 58'): Precious little chance to show quality with team sliding towards heavy defeat. EPA

(On for Ayhan, 58'): Pitched into hopelessly overmatched Turkish midfield. Getty Images

(On Akgun, 70'): Not fit to start and will need to be if Turkey are to bounce back from this. Getty Images

(On for Akaydin, 75'): Solid enough and will surely get a start now after the performances of the starting centre-backs. Reuters

PORTUGAL RATINGS. Portugal had only kept one clean sheet in last six, yet Roberto Martinez’s side were barely troubled as they went through as group winners. AFP

Beaten at the far post as Turkey almost went ahead after six minutes, then ran forward and misplaced a pass for Ronaldo. He was saved as the Turkish defender Akaydin turned it into his own net for the second goal. AP

The 41-year-old used all his experience in his fifth Euros to make brilliantly timed challenges and interceptions against players half his age. Still reads the game so well. Received an ovation, even from the vast Turkish following, as he left the field. AP

Faultless on the floor and in the air, he had more touches – by a distance – than any other player. Reuters

Left-back got forward from deep to cross for the opening goal in a move which undid Turkey. Created a vast space for his teammates to exploit. EPA

Central midfielder is an important player for Portugal, he used his height to head away early Turkish pressure. Booked. Reuters

Right-sided midfielder who surged forward to support the attack for the first goal. A smooth game for a smooth team who are among the favourites. Getty Images

Started on left but came central. Got the second by staying onside as Portugal were gifted another goal. AFP

Put Portugal ahead, a left-foot finish from a cross. In doing so he became the first Man City player to score against a Man United goalkeeper (Bayindir) in a major tournament. Tried to reverse an 89th minute shot into the goal for a fourth when a pass would have been better. Helped control the game and always hits the target. AFP

Miscommunication in an attack – but not as bad as for the Turkish players as it went in. Shot over on 36 minutes as Portugal easily beat Turkey’s press. Playing in his sixth Euros, he stayed onside and unselfishly set up Fernandes for the third. Reuters

Yellow card – accurate but disputed by his coach - means he’ll miss the next game against Georgia. Both yellows were for diving. Such is Portugal’s depth, his loss will be covered. EPA

PORTUGAL SUBS. (On for Leao, 46'): On for the booked Leao at half time. Valuable minutes for the first of the five subs in one of the strongest squads. EPA

(On for Palhinha, 45'): On for the cautioned Palhinha at the break. Lovely feet. Reuters

(On for Cancelo, 68'): Helped retain the calm. EPA

(On for Pepe, 83'): Gave Pepe a late breather. EPA

(On for Vitinha, 88'): On for closing stages, the 19-year-old central midfielder is tipped to be a breakout star in Euro 2024. Reuters