Ronaldo makes more history as Portugal progresses
Cristiano Ronaldo became the European championships' record assist-maker as Portugal won Group F with a 3-0 victory over Turkiye at UEFA Euro 2024.
Having won late against Czechia in its opening game of the tournament, Roberto Martinez's side knew an improved display was needed in Dortmund.
The Selecao dominated from start to finish, with defensive errors aiding its triumph as Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes netted either side of a calamitous Samet Akaydin own goal.
Portugal now has the luxury of being able to rest key players when it faces Georgia in Gelsenkirchen next week.
Meanwhile, Turkiye knows it must avoid defeat against Czechia to be certain of progression to the knockout stages.
With Arda Guler and Kenan Yildiz, who starred in Turkiye's opener against Georgia, both on the bench, Portugal was able to dominate from the off and went ahead after 21 minutes.
A slick move down the left-hand side saw Nuno Mendes's delivery deflect kindly into the path of Silva, who swept the ball home from inside the area for his first goal at a major tournament.
But for all its intricate passing play, Portugal would double its lead in comical fashion. Joao Cancelo's attempted pass to Ronaldo was cut out by Akaydin, but the defender sent a blind back pass beyond Altay Bayindir to score the sixth own goal of UEFA Euro 2024.
The Selecao further extended the advantage 10 minutes into the second half, profiting from more poor defending from Vincenzo Montella's side.
A simple ball over the top picked out Ronaldo as he was played onside by Zeki Celik, and with the goal at his mercy, he unselfishly squared for Fernandes to tap home.
Ronaldo's assist was his seventh at the European championships overall, the most of any player since records began in 1968. He also holds the all-time goalscoring record with 14.
Portugal tried to add to its tally as Silva saw his effort blocked late on, but it did not need a fourth as it clinched progression to the Round of 16.