José Mourinho claimed that even Portugal’s reserves would be contenders for Euro 2024 and they relied deeply on that strength to defeat the stubborn Czech Republic 2-1 and start with a win. Two combined substitutions resulted in victory in the 92nd minute, when Francisco Conceição scored his first international goal with the first touch of the ball from Pedro Neto’s cross. Another of the players sent by coach Roberto Martinez on Tuesday in Leipzig also scored, but Diogo Jota’s header was disallowed for offside against Cristiano Ronaldo.
Portugal followed the path of England and France, with the three pre-tournament favorites getting off to a winning start, albeit in unconvincing fashion.
Ronaldo was in the spotlight as always, but the Portugal captain had a frustrating night. He will have to wait to become the oldest European Championship goalscorer in his collection of records.
Martinez’s decision to keep the 39-year-old as the focal point of his attack could be scrutinized more closely as the tournament progresses.
Ronaldo was dropped for Portugal’s final two matches at the 2022 World Cup and replaced by Gonçalo Ramos.
This time, Paris Saint-Germain striker Ramos never left the bench, as did Barcelona’s João Félix, to highlight the wealth of attacking talent on offer to Martinez.
“We are a country of 10 million inhabitants, but we have a huge amount of players in the top five (European) leagues,” Martinez said.
“That’s a strength and a weakness. If you don’t use it well, it can turn into 26 individuals trying to show what they want.”
‘Ultimate example’
Spaniard Martinez has a lot of experience in major football tournaments.
He led Belgium’s so-called golden generation to the World Cup semi-finals and the Euro quarter-finals, but this is his first chance at glory with Portugal.
Many have questioned whether the former Wigan and Everton manager is the right man to bring together the best of an abundance of talent.
Critics would be ready to pounce as Martinez waited until the 89th minute to introduce Conceição and Neto as part of a late triple change.
But on a night when Pepe became the oldest player in Euro history at 41, and Ronaldo also surpassed his previous mark as an outfield player, it was Portugal’s new generation that got them out of trouble.
Twenty-four years after his father, Sérgio, scored three goals against Germany at Euro 2000, Conceição enjoyed his moment in the spotlight for his country on German soil.
Conceição Sr. was also his son’s coach at Porto for most of Francisco’s career at the club.
Martinez, however, said the 21-year-old winger proved he was worthy of standing.
“He’s the best example of how to win. He showed he’s ready,” Martinez added.
“Francisco is a very mature player. He plays vertically and has a nose for danger in the box.
“For a national coach, having a player like that is great.”
Unlike England and France, who beat Serbia and Austria 1-0 respectively, Portugal were forced to come from behind after Lukas Provod put the Czechs ahead against the run of play.
Robin Hranac’s own goal quickly equalized and Martinez hopes the character shown by Portugal will make it even harder to stop a “scary” collection of stars next month.
“Things were difficult for us today, but the way the team reacted, it’s great for a coach to have a group of players as resilient and scary as they are.”
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