Portugal and Turkey will face off in a crucial Group F match at Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund, Germany on June 22nd, 2024, as part of the UEFA Euro 2024 tournament. Both teams are coming off of opening victories and will be looking to solidify their position in the group standings.
The History of Portugal vs Turkey
This Euro 2024 clash marks the fourth encounter between Portugal and Turkey at the European Championship. The historical record heavily favors Portugal, who boast a perfect record against their opponents in the tournament.
Across their three previous meetings, Portugal has emerged victorious each time, scoring five goals and conceding none. Their victories came in the 1996 group stage (1-0), the 2000 quarter-finals (2-0), and the 2008 group stage (2-0).
Looking beyond the Euros, the overall head-to-head record remains skewed towards Portugal. In all competitions, Turkey has only managed to defeat Portugal twice in nine meetings (losing seven).
Interestingly, both Turkish victories came in friendly matches, a 3-1 win in 1955 and another 3-1 triumph in 2012. Their most recent encounter took place in March 2022, where Portugal secured a 3-1 victory in Porto on their path to the 2022 World Cup qualification play-off final.
Squads Ready for Battle
Both teams come armed with talented squads capable of delivering an exciting match. Here’s a look at the players who could shape the outcome:
Turkey:
- Goalkeepers: Altay Bayindir, Mert Günok, Ugurcan Çakir
- Defenders: Abdülkerim Bardakci, Ahmetcan Kaplan, Kaan Ayhan, Merih Demiral, Mert Müldür, Samet Akaydin, Zeki Çelik
- Midfielders: Arda Güler, Ferdi Kadioglu, Hakan Çalhanoglu (Captain), Irfan Can Kahveci, Ismail Yüksek, Okay Yokuslu, Orkun Kökçü, Salih Özcan
- Forwards: Baris Alper Yilmaz, Bertug Yildirim, Cenk Tosun, Kenan Yildiz, Kerem Aktürkoglu, Semih Kiliçsoy, Yunus Akgün, Yusuf Yazıcı
- Head Coach: Vincenzo Montella
Portugal:
- Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa, José Sá, Rui Patrício
- Defenders: António Silva, Danilo Pereira, Diogo Dalot, Gonçalo Inácio, João Cancelo, Nélson Semedo, Nuno Mendes, Pepe, Rúben Dias (Captain)
- Midfielders: Bruno Fernandes, João Neves, João Palhinha, Matheus Nunes, Rúben Neves, Vitinha
- Forwards: Bernardo Silva, Cristiano Ronaldo, Diogo Jota, Francisco Conceição, Gonçalo Ramos, João Félix, Pedro Neto, Rafael Leão
With Portugal boasting a dominant historical record and a statistically predicted win, Turkey will need a tactical masterclass and a stellar performance from their young stars to pull off a historic upset.
Match Analysis
Portugal is expected to dominate possession and create more scoring opportunities, but Turkey’s pace and counter-attacking threat could pose a challenge. The outcome of the match could hinge on Ronaldo’s performance, as he has a knack for rising to the occasion in big games.
Where to Watch
The match will be broadcast live on various television and streaming platforms worldwide. Here are some options for watching the match for free:
- com: UEFA’s official website will offer live streaming of all Euro 2024 matches.
- Local TV Channels: Many local TV channels will be broadcasting the match, so check your local listings.
- Free Sports Streaming Websites: There are a number of free sports streaming websites like, Tapmad , Sports NDTV, SonyLiv.
Additional Information
- Date: June 22nd, 2024
- Time: 9:00 PM PKT
- Venue: Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund, Germany
Prediction
Portugal is the clear favorite for this match, but Turkey has the potential to cause an upset. I predict a close and exciting match, with Portugal eventually emerging victorious by a score of 2-1.
Turning to the upcoming match, the data suggests a strong likelihood of a Portuguese victory. The Opta supercomputer predicts a win for Ronaldo and his team in a staggering 62% of its pre-match simulations (10,000 simulations run). This leaves Turkey with a much slimmer chance of success, with a mere 17.8% chance of securing both wins. A draw, which would still likely qualify both teams for the knockout stage, is projected to occur in 20.2% of simulations.
Portugal’s Quest for Redemption: Can Ronaldo Finally Deliver?
For Portugal, this Euro 2024 campaign carries a weight of expectation, particularly for Cristiano Ronaldo. Despite his individual brilliance, the legendary forward hasn’t been able to lead Portugal to major tournament victory since their Euro 2016 triumph. While Ronaldo remains a force to be reckoned with, questions linger about his fitness and role within the team at 39 years old.
Head coach Roberto Martinez has implemented a system that utilizes Ronaldo’s strengths. The team focuses on quick transitions and creating opportunities in wide areas, allowing Ronaldo to utilize his pace and aerial prowess for crosses or late runs into the box.
However, concerns remain about Portugal’s attacking creativity outside of Ronaldo. The likes of Bernardo Silva and João Félix haven’t consistently replicated their club form on the international stage.
The pressure will be immense on Ronaldo to perform. If he can find his scoring touch and inspire his younger teammates, Portugal can be a serious contender for the trophy. However, if he struggles, the burden of their attacking output will fall heavily on the young shoulders of the likes of Diogo Jota and Francisco Conceição.
Turkey’s Rising Stars: Can They Upset the Odds?
On the other hand, Turkey arrives at Euro 2024 with a youthful exuberance and a point to prove. Led by the experienced Hakan Çalhanoğlu, the team boasts a generation of talented youngsters hungry for success.
Players like Cengiz Ünder and Yusuf Yazıcı possess exceptional dribbling skills and creativity, while Arda Güler, a highly-rated 19-year-old, offers exciting potential in the attacking midfield.
However, Turkey’s biggest strength also presents a potential weakness. Their attacking approach can sometimes leave them vulnerable at the back. Their central defense, while talented, lacks experience compared to seasoned campaigners like Pepe on the Portuguese side.
Coach Stefan Kuntz has instilled a high-pressing, attacking style that thrives on counter-attacks. They will look to exploit Portugal’s potential defensive frailties and create opportunities for their talented attackers. Their success will depend on their ability to maintain a balance between attacking flair and defensive discipline.
If Turkey can manage to contain Ronaldo and limit Portugal’s possession, they have the potential to pull off an upset. The young Turkish squad will be eager to prove themselves on the big stage and could be a dark horse contender in this tournament.
Conclusion
The clash between Portugal and Turkey is expected to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams aiming to secure a crucial victory in their quest for Euro 2024 glory. The match promises to be a spectacle of attacking football, with Ronaldo and Çalhanoğlu showcasing their exceptional skills.