“It’s a bit annoying to stop the game” - Bernardo Silva on pitch invaders interrupting Portugal matches due to Cristiano Ronaldo
Bernardo Silva shared his thoughts on pitch invaders disrupting the game to meet Cristiano Ronaldo after fans ran into the pitch during Portugal's 3-0 Euro 2024 win over Turkey on Saturday (June 22). Fans reportedly invaded the pitch four times during the match.
Speaking to the media after the game (via Ojogo), Silva admitted that it's "annoying" to stop the match in between. However, the Manchester City feels it's a price they have to pay to have a legend like Ronaldo in the team.
"It's a bit annoying to stop the game because there's a pitch invasion, but that's the price you pay for having a player like him (Cristiano Ronaldo) playing for us," Silva said.
Despite being interrupted multiple times, Cristiano remained patient and posed for selfies with a couple of fans. A young Turkish fan was one of the lucky few who caught a selfie with the player before running away from stewards.
Coming to the game, Silva scored the opening goal for the Selecao in the 21st minute. A bizarre own goal (28') from Akaydin and a third one by Bruno Fernandes (55') sealed the deal for the Portuguese.
Roberto Martinez lauds Cristiano Ronaldo following selfless assist in Portugal's Euro 2024 win over Turkey
As per Ojogo, Roberto Martinez lauded Cristiano Ronaldo for setting up Bruno Fernandes's third goal in the 55th minute. The coach said that Ronaldo's gesture is an example for future players, urging it to be shown in training academies across the world.
"About Cristiano Ronaldo, today I saw something spectacular. In front of the goalkeeper, he preferred to pass tp Bruno Fernandes. This should be shown in all training academies in Portugal and the world." Martinez said.
Ronaldo passed to Bruno Fernandes in front of the Turkish goalkeeper that led to Portugal's third goal of the night. Before that, Ronaldo looked good to score after receiving the ball over the Turkish defence.
He dribbed into the box, with Fernandes on his left. When everyone expected him to take the shot himself, he passed the ball to Fernandes to beat a stranded Altay Bayindir at the net.
Ronaldo was in a typical goal-scoring position and expected Bayindir to move forward in an attempt to save the goal. In a brilliant tactical move, he chose to pass it, which the goalkeeper didn't expect. Luckily, Fernandes was in the perfect position to convert the chance.
Following the assist, Cristiano Ronaldo now has the joint most assists (eight) in Euro history. He also became the oldest player in the Euros to register an assist, at the age of 39 years and 138 days.
Portugal have qualified for the Euro 2024 Round of 16 and next face Georgia in their final group stage game on Wednesday (June 26) in Gelsenkirchen.