‘Thoughts in the sky, dreaming of Euro’

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring against Ireland in Aveiro on Tuesday. Pic/Getty Images

Cristiano Ronaldo struck twice for Portugal as they comfortably beat the Republic of Ireland 3-0 on Tuesday in their final Euro 2024 warm-up friendly. Joao Felix was also on target as Roberto Martinez's side bounced back from a defeat by Croatia last week to build confidence for the tournament in Germany.

Ronaldo, 39, watched that match from the bench but started against Ireland. Euro 2016 winners Portugal qualified with a 100 per cent record but recent performances had allowed some doubts to creep in. "The Portuguese expect a lot from Portugal, there's no margin for error, none, they always want Portugal to win because of the generation, the talent there is," said Ronaldo. "We have to have our feet on the ground and our thoughts in the sky, dreaming of the Euros."

Ronaldo will appear at a record sixth edition of the tournament, having played in his first back in 2004. "Going back to 2004... my thoughts and my pride remain the same," said Ronaldo. "Playing for the Portuguese national team, it doesn't get better than this. "For the Euros, we have to think positively, this team have to dream and have been working hard, because just having talent is no use if there's no hard work," he added.

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