EURO 2024: A PREVIEW OF PORTUGAL'S NAIL BITTING CLASH WITH TURKEY.

Portugal plays Turkey in #EURO2024, with both sides fighting for maximum points to qualify for the next round. Coming into this fixture, the two sides are familiar foes, having met nine times previously. Portugal has won all nine matches, with Turkey managing only two draws.

Their first meeting was on December 18th, 1995, in an international friendly, which Portugal lost 3-1. The first competitive meeting was on January 24th, 1965, in a FIFA World Cup clash, and their last meeting was on March 24th, 2022, with Portugal winning 3-1. Notably, Turkey has never beaten Portugal in a competitive game, with their two wins coming in friendlies.

Turkey's key players include Captain Hakan Çalhanoğlu, who has been solid in the Turkish midfield throughout this decade and was exceptional in the first win against Georgia. Arda Guler, the 19-year-old Turkish prodigy, is being touted as the one to succeed Hakan Çalhanoğlu and made a mark on the world with his stunning goal in Turkey's first match of Euro 2024 against Georgia. These two players can help Turkey secure maximum points against Portugal.

Vincenzo Montella knows how much this match means to the people of Turkey and will want to give it his best. On the other side, Portugal's key players include Pepe and Cristiano Ronaldo, the only two remaining players from Portugal's EURO 2016 triumph.

Cristiano Ronaldo has been at the center of every success Portugal has achieved since EUROS 2008, amassing a total of 208 goals for the Portuguese side, winning two trophies, and helping them qualify for five FIFA World Cups. He is the first player to play at six different Euros, his first at the competition dating back to 2004 against Greece. He will be hoping to score, which would make him the first player to score at six different EUROS. He is undoubtedly the greatest player in the competition's history.

Pepe, at 41 years and 113 days old, is the oldest player to play at an EUROS, breaking the record formerly set by Hungarian legendary goalkeeper Gábor Király at age 40 years and 86 days. Pepe has been in the heart of the Portuguese defense since EUROS 2008 and has been the Vice Captain of the Portugal's national team since the last decade.

These two veterans are aware that a win in this fixture is vital if Portugal is to top Group F and secure a more favorable draw in the round of 16.