Teenager Francisco Conceicao snatched Portugal a last-gasp 2-1 win over the Czech Republic of their Euro 2024 Group F opener on Tuesday simply minutes after coming off the bench. The 21-year-old Porto winger capitalised from shut vary after the Czechs have been unable to clear a cross, finishing his crew’s comeback. The Czechs went forward towards the run of play by Lukas Provod’s high-quality strike from the sting of the field after the hour mark. Cristiano Ronaldo‘s Portugal didn’t shine however dug simply deep sufficient to say victory, with Robin Hranac’s personal purpose pulling them degree earlier than Conceicao’s dramatic winner. Ronaldo, 39, enjoying at a record-extending sixth European Championship, was denied by Stanek on three events as Portugal always appeared to seek out the competitors’s all-time prime goalscorer.
The striker hit the publish with the rating tied and Diogo Jota nodded within the rebound however the purpose was disallowed for offside towards Ronaldo.
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez chosen 41-year-old defender Pepe, who turned the oldest participant in Euros historical past, beating the report set by Hungary goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly aged 40 in 2016, as a part of a 3 centre-back defence.
Portugal gained that event in 2016 to say the trophy for the primary time and captain Ronaldo mentioned they deserve one other, though they bought off to a stuttering begin in Germany.
In coach Ivan Hasek’s first aggressive recreation after taking on in January, the Czech Republic largely annoyed Martinez’s aspect, who certified unbeaten whereas scoring extra objectives than every other crew.
Ronaldo despatched an effort vast together with his shoulder after Rafael Leao reduce inside with menace early on, because the Portuguese managed the ball.
Bruno Fernandes’ deflected dipping effort had some Portugal followers out of their seats and Leao was inches away from connecting with a low cross from the Manchester United playmaker.
Czech goalkeeper Jindrich Stanek twice denied Ronaldo on a report twenty sixth Euros look, however on each events the striker appeared marginally offside.
The Al Nassr hitman’s brightest second got here with a intelligent backheel which performed in Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Vitinha, however the Czech defence swarmed round him shortly and blocked his shot.
Debate over whether or not Ronaldo ought to nonetheless be a starter or not has rumbled on because the 2022 World Cup and at occasions Portugal appeared quick on concepts past slinging crosses in in the direction of him.
Stanek comfortably saved a Ronaldo free-kick from distance earlier than the Czechs made their breakthrough.
Slavia Prague midfielder Provod whipped an outstanding strike previous Diogo Costa from the sting of the field after Portugal failed to totally clear a cross simply previous the hour mark.
Nonetheless Portugal have been shortly degree when Hranac sadly turned the ball into his personal web, after Stanek palmed Nuno Mendes’ header straight at him from point-blank vary.
Ronaldo and Czech Republic striker Patrik Schick completed as joint prime scorers at Euro 2020 with 5 objectives every however neither was at their deadly finest in Leipzig.
Jota thought he had grabbed a last-gasp winner after Ronaldo’s header bounced off the woodwork into his path, however VAR confirmed the veteran ahead was offside.
It did not matter for Martinez’s males although after Conceicao got here on to fireside them to the three factors, placing Portugal degree with Turkey on the prime of Group F.
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