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Portugal booked their place in the last 16 as group winners at Euro 2024 following a routine victory over Turkey in Dortmund. 22 Jun 2024
Manchester City's Bernardo Silva opened the scoring midway through the first half, striking first time past goalkeeper Altay Bayindir after Nuno Mendes' cross from the left was deflected into his path. A calamitous own goal doubled Portugal's lead when defender Samet Akaydin failed to look up before passing it back to Bayindir, who could not prevent the ball from rolling into his own net. That dampened the exuberant Turkish support, which had begun with hundreds of fans marching to the stadium from the city centre, draped in flags. Portugal's support was equally impressive, if fewer in number, and they celebrated as their side played with fluidity and composure. Their team sealed the win when Cristiano Ronaldo unselfishly teed up Bruno Fernandes for a tap-in to make it 3-0 before an hour was played. The 2016 champions will take on Group F opponents Georgia on Wednesday knowing their job is complete in the group stages, while Turkey can still qualify when they travel to Hamburg to face the Czech Republic.
Substitute Saba Lobjanidze wasted a golden chance for Georgia with the final kick of the game as the debutants claimed a first ever point in a major tournament with a 1-1 draw against the Czech Republic. 22 Jun 2024
Georgia, the lowest-ranked side in the tournament, took the lead in first-half stoppage time when striker Georges Mikautadze slotted in from the penalty spot. But the Czech Republic - quarter-finalists three years ago - were by far the more dangerous side throughout and finally replied when Patrik Schick turned in after substitute Ondrej Lingr hit the post. Schick then limped off with an injury as Georgia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili produced save after save to ensure a share of the spoils. And there was still time for Lobjanidze to fire over after a three-on-one encounter in the final seconds of the match. The result means both sides head into their final games in Group F on Wednesday with a chance to progress to the last 16.
Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman insisted Xavi Simons' disallowed goal should have stood as his side played out the first goalless draw of Euro 2024 against France in Leipzig. 22 Jun 2024
Goalscorer Simons, the Netherlands team-mates celebrating with him and a delirious Dutch crowd behind the goal were all convinced the 21-year-old had given Koeman's side the lead when he found the bottom corner in the second half. But the on-field officials, led by English referee Anthony Taylor, disallowed the goal because Dutch full-back Denzel Dumfries was in an offside position and deemed to be impeding France goalkeeper Mike Maignan. There was a lengthy check by the video assistant referee as fans inside the stadium, without the luxury of being able to see the replay, whistled in frustration until it was announced the on-field decision would stand. "I think the position of Dumfries is offside, that is true," said Koeman. "But he is not disturbing the goalkeeper and when that is not happening, it is a legal goal, in my opinion." It was arguably the first major talking point surrounding the use of VAR at the tournament, especially regarding the time taken to reach a decision. "You need five minutes to check it, because it is so difficult?" added Koeman. "I don’t understand this. He is not disturbing the goalkeeper." France coach Didier Deschamps was, perhaps unsurprisingly, of the opinion the correct decision was reached. "I was a little taken aback by how long it took," he said. "Because, for me, when I saw the image on the screen for me it was a no brainer."
Late goals by Christoph Baumgartner and Marko Arnautovic gave Austria a hard-fought win over Poland and boosted their hopes of reaching the last 16 at Euro 2024. 21 Jun 2024
With both teams losing their opening matches in Group D, to France and the Netherlands, they came to Berlin knowing that another defeat would put them on the brink of elimination. The high stakes gave the encounter the feel of a knockout tie, with both sets of fans creating a noisy atmosphere at the Olympiastadion, matched by a frenetic tempo on the pitch. It was Austria who struck first, when Gernot Trauner rose at the near post to head home Phillipp Mwene’s cross. Poland were struggling to get out of their own half at that point but quickly improved and began pushing for an equaliser. It arrived after 30 minutes, when a cross from the right was not properly cleared, and although Jan Bednarek’s shot was blocked, Krzysztof Piatek was first to the rebound to fire low into the net. Clear chances were at a premium after that, even when Poland’s talismanic striker Robert Lewandowski belatedly emerged off the bench, but as the game entered the final stages, it was Austria who found the inspiration they needed. Arnautovic’s dummy allowed Baumgartner time and space to advance to the edge of the area, before he coolly slotted past Wojciech Szczesny. Austria’s victory was sealed a few minutes later. With Poland pouring forward in search of an equaliser, Marcel Sabitzer ran clear and although he was brought down by Szczesny, Arnautovic converted the resulting penalty.