Euro 2008

Portugal celebrate victory over Turkey

Portugal have quietly entered Euro 2008 - Cristiano Ronaldo gossip aside - with few tipping them to triumph despite the bookies placing them as third or fourth favourite. No bother for the ever-assured Luiz Felipe Scolari, whose mundane press conferences thankfully do not translate into team tactics.

Scolari’s side were not perfect against a hard-working and adventurous Turkish outfit but were, as expected, dominant in attack and proved their superiority with two fine goals in the second half. They now stand top of Group A on goal difference.

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Raul Meireles’s stoppage time second might prove crucial as well, with Portugal keen to pip Czech Republic to first place and thus avoid Germany in the quarter-finals. The two nations meet in four days time in a virtual play-off for top spot and Portugal can now afford a draw.

Meireles’s strike came as Portugal caught Turkey on the break, with Ronaldo providing the running in a neat flowing move before passing to João Moutinho who selflessly found the Porto midfielder. That goal arrived half an hour after Real Madrid centre-back Pepe had scored a wonderful effort to break the deadlock and put the Turk’s resistance to bed.

A fantastic one-two with Nuno Gomes put Pepe through and, with the aid of a deflection, the ball swept past Turkish stopper Volkan Demirel. It was just reward for the defender, who had earlier seen a goal ruled out for offside and put in a sterling performance in defence while ably supporting his team-mates in attack, along with the likes of Ricardo Carvalho and Paulo Ferreira who both ventured forward at frequent intervals.

Gomes also hit the woodwork twice and Ronaldo found a post in the first half after an ingenious free-kick snuck past the wall only for the impressive Demirel to get his fingers to the effort. It proved a goal-stopping save as the ball rebounded off the post and to safety.

Despite their intrepidness, Turkey were reduced to long-rang efforts and Ricardo was never sincerely tested. English born Kazim Richards – or perhaps Kazim Kazim - produced an inspired performance, and with a return to his homeland mooted after failing to settle at Fenerbahçe, he has done his prospects of finding a Premier League club no harm. Emre, who conversely will leave England for Turkey, Mehmet Aurelio and Nihat were the star players but Portugal eventually demonstrated their greater rank.

Turkey must now rely on overcoming Czech Republic - a result certainly not out of their grasp - in their final group game along with a comprehensive victory against co-hosts Switzerland if they are to progress.

Portugal look in no danger of falling early. Instead, they are capable of progressing well into the latter stages; their excellent blend of a solid defence with a breathtaking array of attacking talent is set to serve them admirably. Their celebrations at the end suggest they are a united group – and one determined on righting the wrongs of 2004. The first steps have been taken with a win in their opening game, something they failed to achieve last time around. The building momentum and growing buoyancy can only spur Scolari’s squad onwards as they eye a place in their second consecutive Euro final.

Tags: Cristiano Ronaldo, Euro 2008, Kazim Richards, Luiz Felipe Scolari, Pepe, Portugal, Portugal 2-0 Turkey, Raul Meireles, Turkey

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