Euro 2024: Why Portugal game stopped four times by Cristiano Ronaldo fans, Portugal vs Turkey match summary

Portugal vs. Turkey Euro 2024 Match Summary

Source : Reuters, Getty, PA

Portugal vs. Turkey Match Summary

Portugal's 3-0 victory over Turkey in the Euro 2024 Group F match in Dortmund was marked by multiple pitch invasions for selfies with Cristiano Ronaldo, causing disruptions and security concerns. Here’s a breakdown of the key points and incidents:

Key Incidents:

Match Stoppages: The game was halted four times due to fans running onto the pitch for selfies with Ronaldo.

70th Minute: A young boy evaded security, reached Ronaldo, who smiled and took a selfie with him.

85th Minute: A teenage boy attempted to approach Ronaldo but was waved away by the player and stopped by security.
Stoppage Time: Two adult males ran towards Ronaldo with their phones but were intercepted by security.
Post-match: Two more supporters ran onto the pitch after the final whistle.

Security Concerns: Portugal coach Roberto Martinez expressed serious concerns about player safety due to these incidents, highlighting the potential risks if fans have harmful intentions.
UEFA Investigation: These incidents will trigger an automatic disciplinary investigation by UEFA regarding stadium security.

Match Details:

Result: Portugal defeated Turkey 3-0.
Goals:
- Bernardo Silva: Opened the scoring.
- Own Goal by Samet Akaydin: Made it 2-0.
- Bruno Fernandes: Scored the third goal, assisted by Ronaldo.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Milestones:

Assist Record: Ronaldo became the highest assist provider in Euro history with his 8th assist, surpassing Karel Poborsky.
Appearance Record: Ronaldo extended his record to 26 games in the European Championships.
Goal Drought: Ronaldo has not scored in his last six major tournament matches, a significant drought in his career.

Quotes:

Roberto Martinez: "Today we were lucky as the intentions of the fans were good... It shouldn't happen. There is lots of security, so it shouldn't happen."
Bernardo Silva: "It’s just a bit annoying in terms of having to stop the game because a fan enters the pitch."

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Role and Performance:

Declining Influence: Ronaldo, at 39, showed signs of waning influence, with more fans seeking selfies than him making significant on-field contributions.
Assist vs. Goal: Ronaldo’s unselfish assist to Fernandes indicates a shift in his role from primary scorer to playmaker.
Coach’s View: Martinez defended his decision to start Ronaldo, citing his experience and ability to create goal opportunities.

Historical Context:

First Euro Appearance: Ronaldo’s first Euro tournament was in 2004.
Previous Achievements: He has the most goals (14) in European Championship history and helped Portugal win the title in 2016.

Future Implications:

Team Strategy: As Portugal progresses, they may need to reconsider Ronaldo’s role to maximize their chances against stronger opponents like Spain, Germany, and France.
Security Measures: UEFA’s investigation may lead to stricter security protocols to prevent future pitch invasions.