Chapter 895: Effortless Brilliance
The European Championship schedule was relentless. On June 17 in the afternoon, Portugal faced their second group-stage opponent—North Macedonia.
Among all 24 qualified nations, North Macedonia were one of the weakest, their most recognizable player being veteran striker Goran Pandev of Genoa. At 38, the former Inter Milan forward still maintained a respectable scoring record in Serie A.
This was also the first-ever European Championship appearance in North Macedonia's history.
Given the difference in quality, coach Fernando Santos rotated his squad.
In defense, veteran Pepe was rested, with Rúben Dias partnering José Fonte at center-back, Nelson Semedo on the right, and Raphaël Guerreiro on the left.
The midfield line featured João Palhinha and Rúben Neves as holding midfielders, with both Danilo Pereira and William Carvalho on the bench. Bruno Fernandes remained in the attacking midfield role.
Up front, the familiar trio—Cristiano Ronaldo, Diogo Jota, and Bernardo Silva—started again.
Though Portugal possessed tremendous depth, Santos didn't dare to rest Bruno. There was still Austria to face in Group C, a dangerous side. While third-place teams could advance, finishing top of the group would make a huge difference in the knockout rounds.
Matches like this, against weaker opposition, were opportunities to boost goal difference—and for that, Portugal needed their creative master on the field.
...
The match quickly proved him right.
Portugal dominated possession from kickoff, their midfield superiority setting the tone.
Bruno, however, played more conservatively. It was by Santos' design—he wanted him fresh and steady throughout the tournament, not drained in every match. Bruno pressed less aggressively than Ronaldo, Jota, or Bernardo, but none of his teammates minded.
The difference he made simply by existing was immense.
With Bruno on the pitch, even his slow walk unsettled defenders. North Macedonia's back line kept one nervous eye on him at all times, terrified of the moment he'd suddenly explode into action.
It was psychological warfare—a presence that defined Portugal's rhythm.
In a tournament as physically demanding as the Euros, it was impossible to expect him to go full throttle every match. Even his teammates accepted that. Bernardo Silva and Jota even told him outright: "We'll run for you. Save your energy for the right moments."
And Bruno's "light" performance still carried danger. In the 15th minute, he dropped deep to collect the ball, spun smoothly, and launched a diagonal pass over the defense. Jota sprinted onto it, beat his man, and crossed to Ronaldo—who, uncharacteristically, skied his shot.
It was Portugal's best chance so far—and a sharp reminder to North Macedonia: Bruno might look idle, but give him one second, and he'd kill you.
...
Bruno wasn't selfish about glory either.
After that missed opportunity, North Macedonia countered. Pandev broke through down the middle and was brought down in the box. The referee pointed to the spot. Alioski's penalty was saved by Rui Patrício, but the rebound bounced kindly for him—he tapped it in.
0–1. For the second consecutive match, Portugal conceded first.
It briefly rattled them, but only for two minutes.
Rúben Neves intercepted a pass in midfield and launched a long ball to the left wing. Bruno accelerated, skipped past two defenders, and burst into the box, only for goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski to take him down. The whistle blew immediately. Penalty.
Bruno smiled and handed the ball to Ronaldo. The captain buried it coolly. 1–1.
Four minutes later, Bruno was at it again—tracking back, stealing possession, and driving forward. He spotted Jota on the right and threaded a perfect diagonal pass. Jota crossed, Ronaldo met it on the run, and from 25 meters, hammered in his second goal.
2–1 Portugal.
The turnaround was electric. Teammates swarmed Ronaldo—but he made sure to point at Bruno in celebration.
...
After halftime, North Macedonia launched a few spirited attacks but lacked efficiency.
In the 58th minute, Portugal countered clinically. Ronaldo's splitting pass found Jota on the right, who sprinted and squared to Bruno. Arriving unmarked, he calmly slotted it in.
3–1.
Santos immediately subbed him off for João Moutinho, resting his star for the final half-hour. The score held until the end.
At the post-match press conference, Santos explained his approach. "Our plan was for Bruno, Ronaldo, and others to play about sixty minutes, then protect the lead. I'm happy—we executed perfectly."
The North Macedonian coach was more disheartened. "Portugal won because they have two world-class players. Bruno and Ronaldo—they're unstoppable. Bruno doesn't even touch the ball that often, yet every touch is dangerous. That penalty he won changed everything."
Ronaldo, with his brace, was named Man of the Match. Still, UEFA noted that Bruno had effectively played "serious football" for maybe ten minutes—yet directly created two goals and scored one himself. His impact came as effortlessly as a casual stroll.
...
June 21, afternoon—Group C's third round: Portugal versus Austria.
With two wins already, Portugal had qualified for the round of sixteen. But Austria, having beaten North Macedonia earlier, could still steal first place with a win. Santos reverted to his strongest lineup.
João Cancelo returned at right-back, Guerreiro stayed on the left, Pepe and Rúben Dias anchored central defense. In midfield, Danilo Pereira and William Carvalho screened behind Bruno. Up front, the usual trio: Ronaldo, Bernardo Silva, and Jota.
Two minutes into the game, Bernardo and Cancelo combined on the right, Cancelo was fouled, and Portugal earned a free kick—forty meters out, right of center. Everyone assumed it was too far for a direct shot.
Bernardo and Ronaldo stood over the ball, discussing options. Then Bruno jogged over from the opposite flank.
"I'll take it," he said eagerly.
"Direct?" Bernardo and Ronaldo exchanged skeptical looks.
Forty meters—off-center—a near-impossible angle.
Bruno just smiled, adjusting the ball on the turf. "Let me try."
Ronaldo chuckled and clapped his shoulder. "All right, but if you miss, you owe me three goals later."
...
Bruno laughed it off. He looked up, breathed in, and crouched to clean the ball with his hands before setting it carefully. He tamped the grass beneath it, then stepped back, counting his strides.
The entire stadium turned its gaze toward him.
"Is Bruno really going to shoot from here?"
"Forty meters—insane distance! Even with power, the angle's difficult. And Austria's keeper Bachmann looks ready."
The Austrian side didn't even build a dense wall—they were more concerned with blocking short passes or deflections.
From the right flank, Cancelo shouted, "Bruno, if it's not on, aim for me!"
Bruno waved him off with a grin, silently saying, Relax—I've got this.
The referee's whistle blew. Portuguese players darted, drawing defenders' eyes.
Bruno inhaled deeply, accelerated into his run-up, and swung his right foot through the ball with perfect timing.
(END CHAPTER)
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