In a thrilling start to their Euro 2024 campaign, Portugal, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, secured a hard-fought victory against the Czech Republic with a dramatic 92nd-minute goal. Substitute Francisco Conceicao became the hero of the day, capitalizing on a defensive lapse by the Czechs to score from close range and complete Portugal’s comeback.
The match saw the Czech Republic take a surprising lead in the second half through Lukas Provod’s strike from outside the box, against the run of play. Portugal, although not at their sparkling best, showed resilience as they managed to equalize thanks to an own goal by Robin Hranac, who inadvertently turned in a rebound off a Nuno Mendes header that was saved by Czech goalkeeper Jindrich Stanek.
Cristiano Ronaldo, appearing in his record-extending sixth European Championship, had several opportunities to score but was denied by Stanek on multiple occasions, including hitting the woodwork once and having a goal disallowed for offside following a rebound effort by Diogo Jota. The Portuguese captain’s presence remained formidable throughout the game, despite ongoing debates about his role in the team since the 2022 World Cup.
Portugal’s defensive setup included 41-year-old Pepe, who made history as the oldest player to feature in the European Championships, surpassing the previous record held by Hungary’s Gabor Kiraly. Under coach Roberto Martinez, Portugal aimed to build on their Euro 2016 triumph, where they claimed the trophy for the first time in their history.
Despite dominating possession and creating several scoring chances, Portugal struggled to break down a resilient Czech defense marshaled by coach Ivan Hasek, who was overseeing his first competitive game since taking charge earlier in the year. The match showcased Portugal’s ability to adapt and persevere, ultimately securing all three points in Group F, putting them level with Turkey.
As the tournament progresses, Portugal will look to build on this hard-fought victory, knowing they will need to improve their efficiency in front of goal and capitalize on Ronaldo’s scoring instincts to navigate through a competitive field vying for European glory.
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By- Sahiba Suri