Cristiano Ronaldo gave up a chance to open his Euro 2024 goalscoring account against Turkey on Saturday, June 22. He assisted Bruno Fernandes instead to seal a 3-0 win for Portugal.
The goal came in the 55th minute of the game, as the Al-Nassr forward beat the offside trap to latch onto a long ball over the Turkish defense. He was one-on-one with goalkeeper Altay Bayindir, but instead of going for goal, he squared it to the Manchester United midfielder for a tap-in.
Watch the goal here:
Ronaldo has now drawn level with Czechia’s Karel Poborsky (8) as the all-time leading assist provider in European Championship history. He is yet to score at Euro 2024, drawing a blank in Portugal’s opener against Czechia and unselfishly gifting a goal to Fernandes against Turkey.
With the win, Portugal have qualified for the knockouts as Group F leaders. They have six points from two matches and will play their final group game against Georgia on Wednesday, June 26.
A look at Cristiano Ronaldo’s records in Euros
Cristiano Ronaldo is now the leading assist provider in European Championship history. He took his tally to eight in Portugal’s Euro 2024 game against Turkey on Saturday, equaling Czech Republic legend Karol Poborsky's record.
This adds to the 39-year-old's long list of accomplishments in the competition. He already leads the charts for most goals and appearances in Euros history with 14 goals in 27 matches. Portugal's win against Turkey was Ronaldo's 16th in the Euros, also a record.
The Al-Nassr forward is featuring in his sixth European Championship, more than any other player. His first goal at this year's Euros will make him the first player to find the net in six different editions, as well as making him the oldest goalscorer in the competition's history.
If Portugal reach the final and Ronaldo scores there, he will break Leonardo Bonucci's record of being the oldest goalscorer in a European Championship final.
Portugal have at least two more games remaining in this year's tournament, and Cristiano Ronaldo will be looking to break more many more records.