Lee Dixon took aim at Bruno Fernandes for his lack of urgency in Portugal’s defeat to Germany on Saturday.
Germany registered their first victory at Euro 2020 as they ran out 4-2 winners over Portugal in Munich.
Cristiano Ronaldo had given Portugal an early lead but two own goals put Germany in front by half time.
Kai Havertz extended Germany’s lead after the break, while Robin Gosens, who was named man of the match for his impressive display, netted the fourth.
Diogo Jota pulled a goal back for Portugal but it wasn’t enough and the result has now left Group F wide open.
Fernandes, meanwhile, struggled to make an impact and the Manchester United midfielder was replaced by Joao Moutinho after just 64 minutes.
And before the substitution Dixon, who was working as a co-commentator for ITV, criticised Fernandes for not doing enough to get Portugal back in the game.
‘Someone needs to tell Fernandes he’s 3-1 down,’ Dixon said during the second half.
‘He is just strolling on the ball.
‘He had a chance then to run into space and commit a few players ahead of him. No energy in his run at all.’
Meanwhile, Portugal boss Fernando Santos admits his tactics were to blame for his side’s defeat to Germany.
‘We just tweaked our midfield tactics for the match. We just wanted to press the midfield players – Gundogan and Kroos – and we wanted our full backs to drive forward,’ Santos said after Portugal’s defeat.
‘But it was clear to see that we were always short of an extra man in the midfield and were pushed back. It was my strategy and I’m fully responsible for it.
‘In the first half, they suffered just two fouls. If we can’t stop them, if we have issues having possession, then we have problems.’
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