UEFA Euro 2016 Champions Portugal were made to fight hard in their opening match of the UEFA Euro 2024, securing a dramatic comeback win against Czechia. The match saw Portugal’s star forward, Cristiano Ronaldo, subdued by a determined Czechia defense, but a late goal from substitute Francisco Conceicao sealed the victory for Portugal, giving them their first three points of the tournament.
The Portuguese side dominated the first half, keeping their opponents under pressure and boxed into their own defensive third. Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes was pivotal in orchestrating the attacks, frequently finding gaps between the lines.
One such incisive pass from Fernandes found Ronaldo making a darting run behind the Czechia defense, but his effort was brilliantly saved by Czech goalkeeper Jindrich Stanek. Stanek’s quick reflexes thwarted the follow-up attempt from Vitinha and later denied Ronaldo again, preventing Portugal from taking an early lead.
Despite Portugal’s dominance in the first half, the second half saw a shift in momentum. The Portuguese side appeared complacent, allowing Czechia to find their rhythm. In the 62nd minute, Czechia took a surprising lead through Lukas Provod, whose stunning first-time shot from distance left Portuguese goalkeeper Rui Patricio with no chance. Provod’s goal sent the Czech fans into a frenzy and put Portugal on the back foot.
However, Czechia’s lead was short-lived. Just seven minutes later, an own goal by Czech defender Robin Hranac brought Portugal back into the game. Hranac’s unfortunate deflection gave Portugal the equalizer they desperately needed, reigniting their determination to secure a win.
With the game hanging in the balance, Portugal intensified their attacks in the final minutes. Their persistence paid off in stoppage time when substitutes Pedro Neto and Francisco Conceicao combined to produce the winning goal. Neto delivered a low cross into the box, which Hranac failed to clear effectively. Conceicao, with time and space, calmly slotted the ball past Stanek, sparking jubilant celebrations among the Portuguese players and fans.
The 2-1 victory places Portugal second in their group, behind Turkey, who they will face next in Dortmund. The final group stage match will see Ronaldo and his teammates take on Georgia, aiming to secure their place in the knockout stages.
Although Ronaldo did not get on the scoresheet, his presence and the team’s determined approach highlight Portugal’s ability and potential in the tournament. As they prepare for the upcoming fixtures, Portugal will aim to build on this hard-fought win and continue their quest for another European Championship title.
