Portugal dominated possession and had most of the scoring opportunities, but it was the Czechs who took the lead, in the 62nd minute, when Lukas Provod impressively shot into the back of the net.
Seven minutes later, Portugal equalized when Czech goalkeeper Jindrich Stanek cleared a header from Nuno Mendes, but only to the leg of Robin Hranac, with the ball ricocheting into the defender’s own goal.
The game was in stoppage time when Conceição shot from close range, after a defensive error by Hranac, to give Portugal the victory.
Ronaldo, 39, who is competing in his sixth European Championship, was stopped by Stanek on three occasions as Portugal constantly sought to find the competition’s all-time top scorer.
The striker hit the post with the score tied and Diogo Jota headed the ball, but the goal was disallowed for Ronaldo’s offside.
Portugal won the tournament in 2016, lifting the trophy for the first time, and captain Ronaldo said they deserve another despite getting off to a shaky start in Germany.
In coach Ivan Hasek’s first competitive game after taking over in January, the Czech Republic largely frustrated Martinez’s side, who qualified unbeaten and scored more goals than any other team.
First footballer ever to play in six European Championships
The captain of the Portuguese team went on to play in six European Championships, in a record that began in 2004, on Portuguese soil, and continued in the 2008, 2012, 2016 and 2020 editions.
With this meeting, at the Red Bull Arena, Ronaldo, aged 39, also reinforces his football status with more games in the final stages of the European Championship, with his 26th appearance, and more games as captain, with his 17th. th.
The ‘7’ of the national team also enters the field with leadership in the ‘championship’ of players with the most victories in the final stages of European Championships, with 12.
In terms of goals, the Portuguese also dominates, with a total of 14, compared to nine by Frenchman Michel Platini, all achieved in 1984, which is a record for just one edition.
Ronaldo scored in 10 games, another record, having ‘winning’ in all five editions, something unique, and has four matches scoring two or more goals, another unprecedented feat for the player born in Madeira.
Pepe is the oldest ever
By entering the field at the age of 41 years and 113 days, Portuguese international Pepe today became the oldest player to play in a game in the final phase of a European Football Championship, beating the record held by the Hungarian goalkeeper Gábor Király.
Por Braima Darame
2024-06-18 23:20:07