Lisbon, Portugal concluded their preparation for Euro 2024 with a 3-0 victory over Ireland this Tuesday in Aveiro with a double of Cristiano Ronaldowho was in great shape after missing the previous Seleçao tests.
By scoring two superb goals after Joao Felix (18) opened the scoring, the 39-year-old five-time Ballon d’Or winner hit the table showing his intentions to shine at the German Euro Cup, which will be his eleventh major international tournament. .
‘CR7”s first goal recalled his best times at Manchester United and Real Madrid: a defender dodged with a dribble followed by a remote-directed shot into the top corner of the Irish goalkeeper’s long post (50).
The second was a dry shot again with his left foot that confirmed that he is still a fearsome finisher despite his departure to the Saudi club Al-Nassr last January (60).
Portugal, which under the command of Spanish coach Roberto Martínez won all of its matches in the Euro Cup qualifying phase, with 36 goals scored and only 2 conceded, is giving minutes to the less common players and testing tactical alternatives in the recent tests. days.
Without their captain, who did not arrive until last Friday at the preparation stage for the continental tournament, the Portuguese team had won their first friendly, against Finland (4-2) last Tuesday, and then lost on Saturday against the Luka Modric’s Croatia (2-1).
Portugal will enter the Euro Cup on July 18 against the Czech Republic, before facing Turkey and Georgia in Group F.
CR7 statements:
“It doesn’t matter who scores the goals, the objective was to win the game to give confidence to the team,” Ronaldo declared at the end of the game.
“Given the expectations of the Portuguese, the margin for error is zero. Seeing this generation and the talent of its players, it is normal that they want the team to always win,” he added. “It’s good to keep your feet on the ground, but you have to aspire to the sky,” continued the Portuguese star, who confessed that he “dreams” of a new European title after the one in 2016.
Source: AFP
