Euro 2024: Francisco Conceição takes Portugal by storm and beats the Czech Republic

Young Francisco Conceição won Portugal’s last-gasp 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic in their Euro 2024 Group F debut on Tuesday, just minutes after coming off the bench. The 21-year-old Porto winger took advantage from close range after the Czechs failed to clear a cross, completing his team’s comeback. The Czechs advanced against the run of play through a beautiful shot by Lukas Provod from the edge of the area, in the 16th minute. Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal didn’t shine, but dug deep enough to claim victory, with Robin Hranac’s own goal equalizing before Conceição’s dramatic goal. Ronaldo, 39, playing in his record-breaking sixth European Championship, was denied 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 rebound, but the goal was disallowed for offside against Ronaldo.

Portugal coach Roberto Martinez selected 41-year-old defender Pepe, who became the oldest player in Euro history, beating the record set by 40-year-old Hungarian goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly in 2016, as part of a defense of three central defenders.

Portugal won the tournament in 2016 to lift the trophy for the first time and captain Ronaldo said they deserved another, even though they got 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.

Ronaldo shot wide with his shoulder, after Rafael Leão had cut inside threateningly early on, while the Portuguese controlled the ball.

Bruno Fernandes’ deflected shot caused some Portugal fans to leave their seats and Leão was inches away from connecting with a low cross from the Manchester United ace.

Czech goalkeeper Jindrich Stanek denied Ronaldo twice in a record 26 Euro appearances, but on both occasions the striker appeared marginally offside.

The Al Nassr striker’s brightest moment came with a clever backheel that found Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Vitinha, but the Czech defense quickly closed in on him and blocked his shot.

The debate over whether Ronaldo should still be a starter or not has been raging since the 2022 World Cup, and at times Portugal seemed out of ideas other than throwing crosses his way.

Stanek comfortably saved Ronaldo’s long-range free-kick before the Czechs scored.

Slavia Prague midfielder Provod delivered an excellent shot to Diogo Costa on the edge of the box after Portugal failed to clear a cross just after the hour mark.

However, Portugal quickly equalized when Hranac unfortunately deflected the ball into his own goal after Stanek had deflected Nuno Mendes’ header from close range.

Ronaldo and Czech Republic striker Patrik Schick finished as Euro 2020’s top scorers 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 hit the post and fell into his path, but VAR showed the veteran striker was offside.

However, that didn’t matter to Martinez’s men after Conceição took them to three points, moving Portugal level with Turkey at the top of Group F.

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