Portugal concluded its preparation for Euro-2024 by beating Ireland (3-0) this Tuesday, June 11 in Aveiro with a double from Cristiano Ronaldo, who appeared in very good shape after missing the Seleçao’s previous tests. By scoring two superb goals after Joao Felix’s opener (18th), the 39-year-old five-time Ballon d’Or winner announced that he intends to shine this summer in Germany, for his eleventh major international tournament. .
The first achievement of “CR7” recalled his glory days at Manchester United and Real Madrid: a defender erased with a dribble followed by a sumptuous shot curling into the opposite corner from the Irish goalkeeper (50th). The second, a dry strike again from the left in response to a good call from Diogo Jota, showed that he remains a formidable finisher despite his departure to the Saudi club Al-Nassr in January (60th).
“It doesn’t matter who scores the goals”
Portugal, which had won all of its qualifying matches by being the best attack (36 goals scored) and the best defense (2 goals conceded), this week favored sparing everyone’s playing time, but also the tactical tests of Spanish coach Roberto Martinez.
Without its captain, who only joined the preparation camp for the Euro on Friday, the Seleçao had passed its first test, with a victory against Finland (4-2) last Tuesday, but lost on Saturday to Croatia of Luka Modric (2-1). Beyond Tuesday’s result, the entry on the scene of Cristiano Ronaldo, who played the entire match, confirmed all his added value for the Portuguese attack and gave assurance of his inexhaustible ambition.
“No matter who scores the goals, the objective was to win the match to give confidence to the team”reacted the Portuguese captain at the end of the meeting. “Faced with the expectations of the Portuguese, the margin for error is zero. Seeing this generation and the talent of its players, it’s normal that they want the team to always win”he added.
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At the Euro, Portugal will enter the competition on July 18 against the Czech Republic, before facing Turkey then Georgia in Group F. “It’s good to keep your feet on the ground but you have to aim for the sky”Ronaldo continued, saying ” dream “ of a new continental coronation after that of 2016.
