Portugal midfielder Bruno Fernandes has lauded Cristiano Ronaldo for his selfless assist in their 3-0 Euro 2024 win over Turkey at the Signal Iduna Park on Saturday (June 22).

Ronaldo is getting plenty of plaudits for putting the team ahead of personal records, as he squared the ball to Fernandes instead of going for goal in a one-on-one situation.

Bruno Fernandes said in his post-match comments (via @totalcristiano on X):

“Everyone loves to score goals, but that is not the most important thing, and that is reflected in my goal, because Cristiano is our best goalscorer, and when he could score, he passed it to me.”

Bernardo Silva opened the scoring for Roberto Martinez’s side, from a deflected Rafael Leao cross in the 21st minute. A disastrous mix-up between Turkish defender Samet Akaydin and goalkeeper Altay Bayindir seven minutes later led to the former passing the ball into his own net and doubling Portugal’s lead.

In the 55th minute, Ronaldo found himself through on goal after running onto a long ball over the Turkish defence. He just had to beat Bayindir in goal to become the first player to score in six different editions of the Euros.

He would’ve also become the oldest goalscorer in the competition’s history as well. Instead, the Al-Nassr forward chose to square the ball to his former Manchester United teammate to put the game beyond Turkey’s reach.

With the win, Portugal sealed their progression to the knockouts as Group F winners. They play their final group game against Georgia on Wednesday (June 26) in Gelsenkirchen.

Cristiano Ronaldo equals all-time Euro assists record

Cristiano Ronaldo has become the joint all-time leading assist provider in European Championship history after setting up Bruno Fernandes’ goal against Turkey.

Playing in a record-extending sixth Euros, Ronaldo’s tally stands at eight – level with Czech Republic legend Karol Poborksy.

That adds to the 39-year-old long list of accomplishments in the competition. He already holds the records for most goals (14), most games (27) and most wins (16). He’s also one strike away from becoming the first player to score in six different editions of the Euros, as well as becoming the oldest goalscorer in competition history.

Cristiano Ronaldo is yet to find the net at Euro 2024, drawing blanks in A Selecao’s wins over Czechia and Turkey.