Teenager Francisco Conceicao scored simply minutes after coming off the bench on Tuesday to provide Portugal a 2-1 win over the Czech Republic of their first match of Euro 2024 Group F. The 21-year-old Porto winger accomplished his facet's comeback by scoring from shut vary after the Czechs didn’t clear a cross. The Czechs took the lead towards the circulate of play by means of Lukas Provod's fantastic strike from the sting of the field after an hour. Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal didn’t produce a spectacular show however dug deep sufficient to say victory, with Robin Hranak's personal personal aim placing them stage earlier than Conceicao's dramatic profitable aim. Ronaldo, 39, taking part in in a record-extending sixth European Championship, was denied by Stanek on three events as Portugal stored looking for the competitors's all-time high goalscorer.
With the rating tied, the striker hit the ball onto the submit and Diogo Jota headed within the rebound, however the aim was disallowed resulting from offside towards Ronaldo.
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez chosen 41-year-old defender Pepe as a part of a 3 centre-back defence, changing into the oldest participant in Euro historical past, breaking the document set by Hungary goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly in 2016 on the age of 40.
Portugal received the match in 2016 to say the trophy for the primary time and captain Ronaldo stated they deserved one other title regardless of their poor begin in Germany.
Within the first aggressive match since coach Ivan Hasek took cost in January, Martinez's facet have been largely disenchanted by the Czech Republic, who certified undefeated, scoring extra objectives than another workforce.
When the Portuguese participant gained management of the ball, Rafael Leao initially pulled the ball in and Ronaldo headed the ball out over his shoulder.
Bruno Fernandes' deflected dipping effort lifted some Portugal followers out of their seats and Leo missed the aim by inches from the Manchester United playmaker's low cross.
Czech Republic goalkeeper Jindrich Stanek twice stopped Ronaldo in his document twenty sixth Euro competitors however the striker was discovered marginally offside on each events.
Al Nassr's hitman's greatest second got here with a intelligent backheel that handed to Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Vitina, however the Czech defence shortly closed in on him and blocked his shot.
There was a debate for the reason that 2022 World Cup on whether or not Ronaldo ought to nonetheless play as a starter and there have been occasions when Portugal has had no selection however to provide him a go.
Stanek simply saved Ronaldo's free-kick earlier than the Czech facet made the breakthrough.
Slavia Prague midfielder Provod scored an outstanding aim from Diogo Costa's go from the sting of the field after the Portuguese failed to totally clear a cross after an hour.
Nonetheless, Portugal quickly equalised when Stanek despatched Nuno Mendes' header straight to him and Hranak sadly put the ball into his personal web.
Ronaldo and Czech Republic striker Patrik Schick have been joint high scorers at Euro 2020 with 5 objectives every however neither was at their greatest in Leipzig.
Jota thought he had scored the profitable aim within the dying moments as Ronaldo's header deflected off him, however VAR confirmed the veteran ahead was offside.
It was to no avail for Martinez's facet although, as Conceicao gave them the three factors, leaving Portugal stage on high of Group F with Turkey.
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