Football

Portugal secured their place in the last 16 of Euro 2024 with a dominant 3-0 victory over Turkey on Saturday. Bernardo Silva's early strike, a comical own goal by Samet Akaydin, and Bruno Fernandes's second-half tap-in sealed the win for the reigning European champions.Portugal's star-studded lineup, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, showcased their class against a spirited but limited Turkey side. Silva's composed finish in the 21st minute set the tone for the match, while Akaydin's unfortunate own goal just minutes later doubled Portugal's lead.Ronaldo, who is aiming to become the oldest goalscorer in European Championship history, played a pivotal role in Portugal's victory. He unselfishly set up Fernandes for a simple goal in the 56th minute, demonstrating his enduring quality and leadership.Portugal's victory was a testament to their depth and experience. Despite the absence of key players such as Ruben Dias and Joao Felix, Fernando Santos's side controlled the game from start to finish. They will now face one of the four best third-place finishers in the next round, while Turkey must beat the Czech Republic to secure second place in Group F.The match was played in front of a passionate Turkish crowd at the Westfalenstadion in Dortmund. Despite the result, the Turkish fans remained vocal and supportive throughout the game. Their enthusiasm created a vibrant atmosphere, but it was Portugal who ultimately proved too strong.

Manchester City's European reign may have come to an end, but their domestic dominance remains intact. Despite a disappointing Champions League exit at the hands of Real Madrid, City secured their place in the FA Cup final with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Chelsea.Bernardo Silva's late goal proved to be the difference at Wembley, as City showed resilience and character to bounce back from their midweek setback. The Portuguese playmaker's strike was particularly poignant, given his missed penalty in the shootout loss to Madrid."It's very happy after a very frustrating week for all of us," Silva said. "The good thing is in football at Man City, you play every three days. Every three days you have the chance to put things right and now we have a chance to win another trophy."City's victory keeps their hopes of a back-to-back domestic double alive. They are now just one win away from securing the FA Cup for the eighth time, while Pep Guardiola can extend his trophy haul to 16 since joining the club.However, Guardiola expressed his frustration over the decision to make City play on Saturday, just days after their Champions League commitments. "I don't understand how we survived today. It's unacceptable to play today," he said. "I just want to protect my players. It's unacceptable, it's common sense."Meanwhile, Arsenal have seized the initiative in the Premier League title race with a 2-0 win against Wolves. Leandro Trossard and Martin Odegaard scored late in each half to give the Gunners a one-point lead over City, who have a game in hand.Arsenal's victory was a timely response to their recent setbacks, including a defeat to Aston Villa and Champions League elimination at the hands of Bayern Munich. "It was a tough week for us," said Odegaard. "But we had to keep going."In the relegation battle, Burnley boosted their survival hopes with a 4-1 rout of Sheffield United. Vincent Kompany's team is now within three points of safety, while Sheffield United moved closer to relegation.

The highly anticipated clash between Manchester City and Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals ended in a thrilling 3-3 draw at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. Despite the absence of key players like Kevin de Bruyne, Kyle Walker, and Nathan Ake, City managed to hold their own against the defending champions.The match was a testament to the attacking prowess of both teams, with six goals scored in total. Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden, and Josko Gvardiol found the net for City, while Federico Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga, and Rodrygo scored for Real Madrid.City's goals were particularly impressive, with Silva's near-post finish and Gvardiol's powerful strike standing out. Jack Grealish played a pivotal role in both goals, drawing fouls and setting up his teammates.Real Madrid, known for their ability to score in bunches, showed their resilience by coming back from a 2-1 deficit to level the score. Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo used their pace and precision to exploit City's high line.Despite the high-scoring affair, both teams had their defensive moments. Antonio Rüdiger and Aurélien Tchouaméni formed a formidable partnership to limit Erling Haaland's impact, while Toni Kroos and Luka Modric controlled the midfield.The draw leaves the tie finely poised ahead of the second leg at the Etihad Stadium. City will be confident after scoring three goals away from home, but Real Madrid have a proven track record of winning at some of Europe's most prestigious venues.