Ronaldo double helps Portugal beat Ireland in final Euros warm-up

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 in Aveiro and came close in the first half before dismantling the visitors in the second. Veteran defender Pepe, 41, set to become the oldest player ever to play at the Euros, also started.Euro 2016 winners Portugal qualified with a 100 percent 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 has to dream and has been working hard, because just having talent is no use if there’s no hard work.”Euro 2024 begins tomorrow and Portugal’s first match is against the Czech Republic on June 18, before facing Turkiye and Georgia in Group F.VAR decisions to be explained to fans at Euro 2024Fans at Euro 2024 will be given more detailed information on video assisted refereeing decisions than before, organisers UEFA said. The head of UEFA’s refereeing committee Roberto Rosetti said screens at stadiums across Germany will provide "technical explanations” of VAR calls in order to improve spectator understanding.One of various criticisms of VAR technology since its widespread introduction has been the difficulty match-going fans have in understanding why certain decisions are made. "After the video assistance, the technical explanation of the decision will be shown on the giant screens in the stadiums,” explained Rosetti at a press briefing at the Allianz Arena, ahead of the tournament opener.Rosetti offered an example of the type of information fans will be given after a VAR call. "Penalty, handball, Germany’s number nine touched the ball with his left hand, which was in an unnatural position, over his shoulder and extending away from his body,” he said. At the 2023 Women’s World Cup officials announced decisions to spectators verbally before restarting play. Rosetti said referees will be able to give explanations to the captains of the teams they are refereeing but other players challenging decisions or demanding information will be cautioned.This rule was applied in all three UEFA club competition finals, with two yellow cards in the Champions League final, two yellow cards in the Europa League final and one yellow card in the Conference League final. "We do this for the next generations... for football and the image of the game, for the young players and for the young referees,” said Rosetti.For teams with a goalkeeper as captain – Italy and Slovenia – an outfield player will be chosen before the match to stand in.In-demand Leipzig strikerSesko extends until 2029Sought-after striker Benjamin Sesko has extended his stay at Bundesliga side RB Leipzig until 2029, the club announced. Sesko, 21, was in high demand after an impressive first season at the club, with reported interest from Premier League sides Arsenal and Manchester United. The Slovenia forward arrived in Leipzig from sister club Red Bull Salzburg last summer and despite a slow start scored 14 goals in 31 Bundesliga games, netting in each of his last seven league fixtures.