No goals but lots of selfie-seekers for Ronaldo in chaotic Portugal win over Turkey at Euro 2024

DORTMUND, Germany (AP) — By the end, it was hard to know what Cristiano Ronaldo was more frustrated about.

Failing to score for the second straight game at the European Championship or having to fend off repeated attempts for selfies by his adoring fans.

In what proved to be a wild and potentially dangerous match for the five-time world player of the year, Ronaldo had no goals, one assist and no less than four selfie-seeking field invaders for company in Portugal’s chaotic 3-0 win over Turkey that secured his team a spot in Euro 2024’s round of 16 on Saturday.

Ronaldo, one of the world’s most popular and well-known sport stars, was the center of attention as always at Westfalenstadion.

Just not how he might have expected.

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

Making a record 27th appearance at the Euros, Ronaldo did get his first goal involvement of this tournament when he set up the third by Bruno Fernandes in the 55th minute with an unselfish pass across the face of the six-yard box after being played clean through.

Ronaldo, the most prolific scorer ever in men’s international soccer with 130 goals, rarely passes up such opportunities to add to his remarkable tally.

Perhaps he just wanted another record. This was his eighth assist at a European Championship, more than anyone else.

“It was a pure moment of Portuguese football,” Portugal coach Roberto Martinez said in praise of Ronaldo, his captain. “It should be shown in every academy in Portugal and world football, because it showed that the team is the most important thing.”

Then things got a bit silly — and potentially unsafe — for the former Real Madrid, Manchester United and Juventus striker.

Ronaldo was fine posing for a photograph with a young boy who evaded stewards to get on the field in the 69th minute and whipped out his cell phone. That fan sprinted off before finally being grabbed and escorted away by security.

However, Ronaldo certainly wasn’t amused when two other fans with phones at the ready tried the same trick in the final few minutes of a game that flew out of control. He threw his arms up in disgust the first time and appeared to actively try to avoid the next one as he defended a corner.

It wasn’t clear if those fans got their wish before being taken away.

After the final whistle, there were more security breaches as a fan wearing a red Portugal jersey attempted to get close to Ronaldo while holding a phone. He was soon tackled to the ground. Then two more supporters were prevented from confronting Ronaldo as Portugal’s players walked off the field, having just come from saluting their law-abiding fans in the stands.

“It’s a concern,” Martinez said, “because today we were lucky that the intentions of the fans were good.

“If those intentions are wrong, the players are exposed. I don’t think that should happen on a football pitch.”

Ronaldo missed out on a chance to score a record-extending 15th European Championship goal against a Turkey team that was its own worst enemy at times.

Not least in the 28th minute when, trailing 1-0 to Silva’s strike seven minutes earlier, Turkey center back Samet Akaydin delivered a back-pass that rolled to the side of his goalkeeper and straight into the net. Remarkably, it was a sixth own-goal already at these Euros — and certainly the most embarrassing, with Akaydin later being taken off injured to complete a miserable evening for the defender.

Portugal backed up its opening 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic and has qualified with a game to spare from Group F, guaranteeing a last-16 match in Frankfurt on July 1. Martinez may choose to rest Ronaldo and more of his key players for Portugal’s final group match, against Georgia in Gelsenkirchen on Wednesday.

Turkey stayed on the three points it had from beating Georgia 3-1 in their first game, but the pressure has been firmly ramped up on coach Vincenzo Montella, who faced intense questioning of his tactics from his country’s media after the match.

“We were punished harshly tonight,” Montella said.

Related Posts

Christine McGuinness embraces close friend Roxxxan on a fun night out after jetting off on holiday together

Christine McGuinness enjoyed a night out with musician Roxxxan, after they jetted off on holiday to Spain together.  The model, 36, who first fuelled romance rumours with ‘tomboy’ musician Roxxxan after sharing a…

Read more

It’s hand-slapping time! An energetic Hugh Jackman high-fives hordes of baying fans in Hong Kong as he promotes new movie Pan

If you ever thought being a Hollywood star was easy, take one look at Hugh Jackman’s schedule and you’ll think otherwise.  The Australian actor has been touring non-stop for the…

Read more

Hugh Jackman shares a glimpse of one of the ‘greatest times’ of his life

Mumbai, July 30 (SocialNews.XYZ) Hollywood star Hugh Jackman has shared a sneak peek into the “greatest times” of his life, which includes moments with his closest friend and fellow star…

Read more

Hugh Jackman gets clucky over friend’s little baby

Hugh Jackman was spotted gushing over his mate’s adorable little tot during a family day out. It looks like Wolverine has turned into a big ol’ softie! Hugh Jackman was…

Read more

Hugh Jackman fans go wild with bizarre speculation about his hair

Hugh Jackman sparked speculation about his hair on Wednesday when he shared some behind-the-scenes images of himself getting camera ready. The Deadpool & Wolverine star, 55, took to Instagram with a…

Read more

Action man Hugh Jackman shows off his muscles as he enjoys a spot of snorkelling on Hawaii holiday

He’s played a mutant hero and is about to star as a fairytale villain, and even during his time off Hugh Jackman loves to play the action man. The 46-year-old…

Read more

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *