Impressive Portugal made the perfect start to their Euro 2008 campaign as they cruised to a comfortable 2-0 victory against a lack-lustre Turkey side in Geneva.
Luiz Felipe Scolari's side dominated the match from virtually the first whistle while the Turks looked toothless in attack and never really looked like getting back into the game once Portugal had taken the lead.Turkey were quite content to soak up the Portugal pressure and play on the break but they seemed to have no Plan B after Pepe had fired Scolari's team ahead in the 61st minute.Portugal also hit the woodwork three times as they showed the quality that could lead them to success four years after they were beaten in the Final by Greece on home soil.
Portugal always looked dangerous at dead-ball situations and they came within a whisker of taking a 38th-minute lead when Cristiano Ronaldo's free-kick was superbly tipped on to the post by Turkey keeper Demirel Volkan.Early in the second half it was Nuno Gomes' turn to hit the woodwork. The referee waved play on after Gokhan Zan had dithered at the back before bringing Sabrosa Simao down. The ball broke to Nuno Gomes who could only fire his shot against the post when he seemed certain to score.
However, Portugal took a deserved lead just after the hour mark when a brilliant one-two between Pepe and Nuno Gomes on the edge of the area ended with the Real Madrid defender running on and stroking the ball past the stranded Volkan.The goal effectively ended Turkey's challenge as they seemed incapable of lifting themselves enough to grab an equaliser.
Ronaldo made space for himself in the 66th minute before curling in a cross that Nuno Gomes headed on to the crossbar, while Turkey's best chance of grabbing an undeserved equaliser came with eight minutes left when the unmarked Emre Asik headed wide from a corner.With virtually the last kick of the encounter, the scoreline was given a more realistic look when a swift Portugal counter-attack ended with Joao Moutinho slipping a pass to Jose Raul Meireles who swept the ball home.
1st Half Highlights
2nd Half Highlights
Pepe Goal
Raul Meireles Goal
Portugal's Paulo Ferreira was happy with his side's perseverance
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