Sports

Portugal vs Turkey: Ronaldo fans disrupt match four times as Roberto Martinez’s men advance

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Portugal’s Euro 2024 Group F match against Turkey in Dortmund was interrupted four times as fans ran onto the pitch to take selfies with Cristiano Ronaldo, Soccernet.football reports.

After the match, two more supporters did the same.

Ronaldo, who now plays for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, posed for a picture with a young boy who evaded security in the 70th minute. The boy, about 10 years old, was hugged by Ronaldo before being caught by security.

As he was led away, he was cheered by the crowd and patted on the head by stewards and substitutes.

Fifteen minutes later, a teenage boy attempted a similar stunt. Ronaldo waved him away, and security stopped the boy before he reached the Portuguese captain. German referee Felix Zwayer delayed the game until the pitch was clear.

In stoppage time, two adult males ran onto the pitch with their phones aiming for Ronaldo but were stopped by security. After the final whistle, two more supporters managed to get onto the pitch.

UEFA will likely conduct a disciplinary investigation into the stadium’s security. The stadium is scheduled to host Germany’s round-of-16 match and a semifinal.

Despite the disruptions, Portugal won comfortably.

Bernardo Silva scored his first goal at a major tournament, followed by an own goal from Turkey’s Samet Akaydin, and a Bruno Fernandes tap-in, leading to a 3-0 victory.

Silva scored in the 21st minute, and Akaydin’s own goal followed seven minutes later. Fernandes secured the win in the 56th minute after Ronaldo passed to his former Manchester United teammate.

Portugal’s win ensures their progression to the knockout stage as Group F winners. Turkey must avoid defeat against the Czech Republic on Wednesday to qualify.