Youngster Francisco Conceicao snatched Portugal a last-gasp 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic in their first Euro 2024 Group F match on Tuesday, just minutes after coming off the bench.
The 21-year-old Porto winger converted from close range after the Czechs failed to clear a cross, completing his team’s comeback.
The Czechs took the lead against the run of play thanks to a good shot by Lukas Provod from the edge of the area just after the hour mark.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal did not shine, but they put in enough effort to claim victory, with an own goal from Robin Hranac leveling the scores before Conceicao’s dramatic winner.
Ronaldo, 39, competing in a record sixth European Championship, was denied by Stanek on three occasions as Portugal constantly searched for the competition’s all-time leading scorer.
The striker hit the post with the score tied and Diogo Jota headed in the rebound but the goal was disallowed for offside against Ronaldo.
Portugal coach Roberto Martínez selected defender Pepe, 41, who became the oldest player in the history of the Euro Cup, breaking the record set by Hungarian goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly, at 40 years old in 2016. as part of a three-center defense.
Portugal won that tournament in 2016 to claim the trophy for the first time and captain Ronaldo said they deserve another one, although they made a shaky start in Germany.
In coach Ivan Hasek’s first competitive match after taking over in January, the Czech Republic greatly frustrated Martínez’s team, which qualified undefeated and scored more goals than any other team.
Ronaldo shouldered a shot wide after Rafael Leao cut inside threateningly from the start, with the Portuguese controlling the ball.
Bruno Fernandes’ deflected shot sent some Portuguese fans out of their seats and Leao came within inches of connecting with a low cross from the Manchester United playmaker.
Czech goalkeeper Jindrich Stanek twice denied Ronaldo his record 26th European Championship appearance, but on both occasions the striker appeared marginally offside.
The Al Nassr attacker’s brightest moment came with a clever backheel that fell to Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Vitinha, but the Czech defense quickly surrounded him and blocked his shot.
The debate over whether Ronaldo should remain a starter or not has continued since the 2022 World Cup, with Portugal at times running out of ideas beyond launching crosses his way.
Stanek comfortably saved Ronaldo’s free kick from distance before the Czechs made their breakthrough.
Slavia Prague midfielder Provod fired a superb shot past Diogo Costa from the edge of the area after Portugal failed to fully clear a cross just after the hour mark.
However, Portugal quickly equalized when Hranac unfortunately turned the ball into his own goal, after Stanek hit Nuno Mendes’ header from close range.
Ronaldo and Czech Republic striker Patrik Schick finished as joint top scorers at Euro 2020 with five goals each, but neither were at their lethal best in Leipzig.
Jota thought he had scored a last-gasp winner after Ronaldo’s header bounced off the post in his path, but VAR showed the veteran striker was offside.
However, Martínez’s men didn’t care after Conceicao came on to give them the three points, putting Portugal level with Turkey at the top of Group F.
