Euro 2024: Francisco Conceicao seals Portugal’s comeback win over Czech Republic

Euro 2024: Young players Francisco Conceição scored just minutes after coming off the bench on Tuesday to give Portugal a 2-1 win over the Czech Republic in their Euro 2024 Group F opener. The 21-year-old Porto Winger Stanek completed his side’s comeback by scoring from close range after failing to clear Cech’s cross. The Czechs took the lead against the run of play through Lukas Provod’s fine strike from the edge of the box after an hour. Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal were not spectacular but did enough to win, with Robin Hranak’s own goal bringing them level before Conceicao scored the dramatic winning goal. The 39-year-old Ronaldo, playing in a record-extending sixth European Championship, was denied by Stanek on three occasions as Portugal remain the competition’s all-time top goalscorer.

Was trying to find the player.

Striker hit the post with the score tied and Diogo Jota nodded in the rebound, but the goal was disallowed for offside against Ronaldo. Portugal coach Roberto Martinez chose 41-year-old defender Pepe, who becomes the oldest player in Euro history, breaking a 40-year-old record set by Hungary goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly in 2016, as part of a three centre-back defence. Portugal won that tournament in 2016 to capture the trophy for the first time and captain Ronaldo said they deserved another title, although they got off to a poor start in Germany. In the first competitive game since coach Ivan Hasek took over in January, the Czech Republic largely frustrated Martinez’s side, who qualified undefeated while scoring more goals than any other team.

Ronaldo fired an effort wide off his shoulder after Rafael Leao cut inside dangerously early on, as the Portuguese controlled the ball. Bruno Fernandes’ deflected dipping effort brought some Portugal fans out of their seats and Leao was inches away from connecting with the Manchester United playmaker’s low cross. Czech goalkeeper Jindrich Stanek stopped Ronaldo twice in a record 26th Euros, but the striker appeared marginally offside on both occasions. The Al Nasser hitman’s best moment came with a clever backheel that went to Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Vitina, but the Czech defence quickly closed in on him and blocked his shot.

The debate over whether Ronaldo should still be a starter has been going on since the 2022 World Cup and at times Portugal had no choice but to throw crosses in for him. Stanek easily saved Ronaldo’s free-kick from distance before the Czechs succeeded. Slavia Prague midfielder Provod picked out Diogo Costa with a superb strike from the edge of the box after Portugal failed to fully clear a cross after an hour. Portugal equalised soon after though when Stanek headed Nuno Mendes’ header straight to him from point-blank range, after which Hranak unfortunately headed the ball into his own net. Ronaldo and Czech Republic striker Patrik Schick finished joint top scorers at Euro 2020 with five goals each, but neither were at their best in Leipzig.

Jota thought he had scored the winning goal in the last moments after Ronaldo’s header came into his path, but VAR showed the veteran forward was offside. It did not matter for Martinez’s men though, as Conceicao handed them the three points, leaving Portugal level on top of Group F with Turkey.