Euro 2024: Late goal seals win for Portugal
Portugal 2 - 1 Czech Republic
Francisco Conceição scored a late winner as Portugal came from behind to beat the Czech Republic in their Euro 2024 opener in Leipzig.
Roberto Martinez’s side, favourites for the tournament after winning every game during qualifying, left it late to overcome their determined opponents.
The Czech Republic had spent much of the game defending in their own half but shocked Portugal when Lukáš Provod's powerful second-half strike found the far corner.
Their hopes of victory were dashed soon after, as goalkeeper Jindřich Staněk parried Nuno Mendes' header, and the ball bounced off Robin Hranáč into the back of his own net.
Diogo Jota had a goal ruled out for offside late on, but Portugal celebrated in stoppage time when Conceição scored. The goal ensured Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo marked his appearance at a record sixth European Championship with a memorable win.
Portugal get the win they probably deserved
The 2016 winners had been in good form heading into this tournament, and their sizeable following in Leipzig was optimistic that they could add to that win they gained in France. That confidence seemed justified as they dominated from the outset, keeping the Czech Republic pinned back.
However, they struggled to turn good build-up play into chances, and the few they created were well dealt with by goalkeeper Staněk.
Ronaldo was the focal point of Portugal's attack. Though his overall play was limited, he had two of his side's best chances in the first half, both times denied by the Czech keeper. When he sent a trademark free-kick tamely at Staněk in the second half and was ruled offside when Jota turned in his cross late on, it seemed it wasn't going to be his or Portugal's night.
But Portugal showed the determination their fans believe will take them far in Germany, securing the three points deep into stoppage time.
Continuing a growing theme of this tournament, it was another young star who delivered the winning moment. Twenty-one-year-old substitute Conceição slammed home from close range.
Czech Republic impress despite defeat
The Czech Republic, who reached the final of Euro 1996, were clear underdogs going into this game. Yet under Ivan Hašek, they had been in good form, going unbeaten in the lead-up to the Euros following his appointment in January.
This was almost a perfect display from them against a tournament favourite: defending strongly and frustrating their opponents before snatching the lead. They will be disappointed not to have held on for what would have been a valuable point, but this performance will encourage them ahead of their remaining Group F games against Turkey and Georgia.
