Portugal vs Turkey

The second game of the UEFA Euro 2008 was on the way and it was one of the favourites Portugal taking on a Turkey side which was built in a similar manner to Luiz Felipe Scolari's team.

Scolari had left midfielders Ricardo Quaresma and Miguel Veloso on the bench. 

Portugal started the game better, having a lot of ball possession as well as trying to create chances. But it was Turkey who had the first penalty shout when Tuncay Sanli went down in the box by what looked a challenge from new Chelsea right back, Jose Bosingwa. But replays showed that there was no contact and the refree was spot on by not pointing to the spot.

But it was in the 17th minute when it seemed that the dead lock was finally broken. A Portugal conner, Simao with a one-two with Deco before finally crossing the ball in for center half Pepe. The Real Madrid man headed in from 5 yards only to see the assistant on the far side hold up the flag. 

But Portugal would just build on from that. Near the half hour mark, Deco was fouled by Mehmet Aurelio 25 yards from goal. Simao Sabrosa took this one and the Atletico Madrid man shot just above the bar. 

A minute later Cristiano Ronaldo went past 3 defenders from a central position and shot just wide of the post from outside the area. 

The Manchester United man had another chance and this time from a set piece. It was in a similar place from where Simao had missed a few minutes ago and the number 7 man, now playing on the left wing, kept the ball low going across the face of goal. But Turkey goal keeper Volkan Demirel did exceptionally well to get his finger tips to it and the ball hit the post to deny POrtugal the opener. 

The runners up from four years ago kept pressing and had another wonderful chance 5 minutes from time. A great pass from Deco found young Joao Moutinho in the middle of the area and just as the Sporting Lisbon midfielder shot, center back Gokhan Zan put his foot in the way and sent the ball over the woodwork to deny an almost certain goal. 

Aurelio shot from distance but straight at goal keeper Ricardo in the final kick of a half, which was dominated by Portugal, but Faith Terim`s men defended really well to still keep themselves in the game.

Turkey looked like the brighter side in the opening 5 minutes of the second half which saw a ricardo troubled by a skillful cross from right winger Kazim Kazim and then Nihat claiming that Simao had brought him down in the area. 

But that was all the luck that turkey were going to have as just then skipper Nuno Gomes hit the post. Simao stretched to touch a loose ball and get it to the 31 year old striker but was tripped badly by Gokhan. The captain then hit the post from the outside of his right foot.

The same man was once again denied when he received a beautiful headed ball from Ronaldo but the defender cleared it before there was any trouble for his team. 

The PFA Player of the Year then went past 2 men on the left hand side before shooting straight into the very safe hands of Volkan.

Mouritho then had a superb shot from 30 yards out going inches above the crossbar. 

But the deadlock was finally broken. Pepe sprung forward and had a little exchange pass with Gomes before finally slotting it above the charging keeper to score his first goal for his new country. 

And just after the goal, Scolari`s men could have doubled their lead but Turkey`s 12th man on the day, the woodwork, saved them again. A marvelous cross from Cristiano Ronaldo found the head of Gomes. The Benfica man beat the keeper, but only to find his shot rebound off the crossbar. 

Portugal then dropped the tempo a bit in a game which had been very high paced for the opening 70 minutes or so. 

Turkey then tried to get back into the game and Tuncay made Portuguese fans skip a heart beat when he took a brilliant free kick which Ricardo somehow managed to fist away. By far their best chance of the match.

Faith Terim was not going to give up and brought on striker Semih Senturk in place of defender Hamit Altintop. 

Turkey had a couple of more chances from Asik`s header but it went wide. 

Into stoppage time and second half sub Raul Meireles doubled his team`s lead when Moutinho spun to give the ball to the Porto man whos first touch took him past the keeper before slotting home 3 points for Portugal.