KEIR RADNEDGE REPORTING: Portugal have played 12 matches in the 2024 UEFA European championship and won every single one of them. Victory No12, by 3-0 against Turkey in Dortmund, sent Cristiano Ronaldo and his team-mates into the last 16 and the knockout stage.

Coach Roberto Martinez’s men were the only team with a 100pc record in qualifying when they won all their 10 games; they were also the top scorers with 36 goals and boasted the tightest defence with a mere two goals conceded.

They opened in Germany in Group F with a 2-1 win over Czech Republic on Tuesday and followed up comparatively comfortably against Turkey. This is Portugal’s eighth successive appearance in the finals and their eight successive appearance in the knockout stages.

Midfielder Bernardo Silva struck the opening goal in the 21st minute, converting a deflected cross from Nuno Mendes. A communications failure then saw Turkish goalkeeper Altay Bayindir beaten by a back pass from Samet Akaydin to present Portugal with a clownish gift of a second goal.

Portugal played with more confidence than against the Czechs and extended their lead 10 minutes after halftime when Ronaldo provided the assist for Bruno Fernandes to score a third.

Coach Martinez said: “We scored first and that changed what Turkey could do, We can face the third game with many players in the dressing room deserving to be in the starting XI. We should give them a chance to prove how competitive this squad can be.”

Ronaldo class

Martinez had particular praise for Ronaldo over his contribution to the third goal, saying: “I saw something that is spectacular, to have Ronaldo, who is an out-and-out goalscorer, looking for the assist. It is an example that should be shown in every academy in Portugal. The team is the most important thing and probably that assist means a lot more than any other goal.”

Portugal play Georgia on Wednesday while Turkey can still qualify when they travel to Hamburg to face the Czech Republic.

Vincenzo Montella, the Turkey coach, said: “We had our own opportunities and were punished at the first mistake. It was a balanced game until the first goal. These things happen in football. I think we played equal with one of the best teams in Europe. They were much more clinical and that made the difference.”

Security lapses saw several hooligans run on to the pitch to try to obtain selfies with Ronaldo. The first was a young boy and the Portugal captain posed but not for the others.

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