Team Portugal celebrating their win. Tuesday, June 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Petr Josek)
In a thrilling start to their European Championship campaign, Portugal secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic thanks to a late goal from substitute Francisco Conceição on Tuesday.
Conceição, who came on in the 90th minute, found the back of the net in the 92nd minute after seizing on a rebound from Pedro Neto's shot, which deflected favorably off Robin Hranac's attempted block. The young Porto winger's decisive strike inside the left post sparked scenes of jubilation as he celebrated, albeit earning a yellow card for removing his jersey in the heat of the moment.
Portugal coach Roberto Martínez hailed the impact of his substitutes, emphasizing the depth of his squad: "The players that came off the bench showed that the team has a lot of options."
The victory held special significance for Conceição, occurring nearly 24 years after his father, Sérgio Conceição, made headlines with a memorable hat trick against Germany in Euro 2000.
Earlier in the match, Czech goalkeeper Jindrich Stanek thwarted Cristiano Ronaldo's attempts, marking Ronaldo's record-breaking sixth appearance at the European Championship. Despite the Portuguese star's efforts, which included 14 goals in previous tournaments, he couldn't alter the scoreline this time.
The game took a turn in the 62nd minute when Lukas Provod's powerful strike beat Portuguese goalkeeper Rui Patrício, putting the Czech Republic ahead. However, Portugal responded in the 70th minute when Nuno Mendes' header, saved by Stanek, rebounded off Hranac and into the net, leveling the score.
Reflecting on the match, Czech coach Ivan Hasek acknowledged Portugal's superiority: "Portugal was better, they deserved to win." He also lamented Hranac's unfortunate involvement in both Portugal's equalizer and the winning goal.
In other Group F action earlier, Turkey defeated tournament debutants Georgia 3-1, adding to the opening day's excitement at the European Championship.
