The Portuguese team dramatically defeated the Czech team, with a score of 2-1 (0-0), on Tuesday evening, at the Leipzig Stadium, in a Group F match of the European Football Championship – EURO 2024, hosted by Germany.
Cristiano Ronaldo, integralist with the Czech Republic, appeared at the 6th edition of a European
The Lusitanians, considered among the favorites for the title, were led by the goal of Lukas Provod (62), but they quickly equalized, thanks to the own goal of Robin Hranac (69), scoring the winning goal in extremis, through Francisco Conceicao (90+2).
Portugal clearly dominated the game, but ran into a wall of well-organized Czech defence, so big chances were rather rare.
The first notable opportunity for the team coached by Roberto Martinez was the shot of Nuno Mendes (17), which went wide.
Ruben Dias (22) shot from outside the box, but Sulc deflected into the corner. Bruno Fernandes (22) also shot from 22 meters. Rafael Leao (26) didn't get to the ball centered by Bruno Fernandes in front of the goal.
Cristiano Ronaldo (39 years old) stood out for the first time in min. 32, when he got off the mark, but Stanek was careful.
Vitinho (32) shot wide of the target, the first half ending with a return shot by Ronaldo (45+1), rejected by Stanek.
Portugal, champion in 2016 and finalist in 2004 (on home soil), continued to dominate the game after the break.
Dalot (46) fired over the goal from the edge of the box, and Ronaldo fired a free-kick from 24 yards, but Stanek made a double save.
The Czech Republic, finalist in 1996 and semi-finalist in 2004, gave the dramatic blow in min. 62, when Provod shot from 20 meters to the long corner, after a ball placed by Coufal.
The Selecao managed to equalize rather quickly (69), through an own goal, after a blunder by goalkeeper Stanek, who deflected the ball headed by Nuno Mendes into Hranac's leg.
Stanek was at the post for the shots of Bernardo Silva (72) and Vitinha (78), but the Czechs were also dangerous, Soucek (82) shooting wide from the edge of the box.
In min. 87, Portugal scored through Diogo Jota, after Ronaldo hit the bar, but the goal was disallowed by VAR for offside.
The coach Martinez made an inspired move at the end and two of those introduced on the pitch collaborated for the winning goal: Pedro Neto entered the box from the left side and crossed in front of the goal, Hranac rejected wrongly and Francisco Conceicao scored (90+2) .
In addition to this precious victory, the Portuguese broke two records, Cristiano Ronaldo becoming the first player to perform in six editions of the European Championship, and defender Pepe became the oldest player in EURO history, at 41 years and 113 days.
In the other match of the group, Turkey disposed of debutant Georgia with 3-1.
The next group matches will take place on Saturday, June 22, Georgia – Czech Republic (Hamburg, 16:00) and Turkey – Portugal (Dortmund, 19:00).
Portugal – Czech Republic 2-1 (0-0)
They scored: Robin Hranac (69, own goal), Francisco Conceicao (90+2), respectively Lukas Provod (62).
Leipzig Stadium
EURO 2024 – Group F
The teams evolved:
Portugal: 22. Diogo Costa – 5. Diogo Dalot (14. Goncalo Inacio, 63), 3. Pepe, 4. Ruben Dias – 20. Joao Cancelo (2. Nelson Semedo, 90), 10. Bernardo Silva, 8. Bruno Fernandes, 23. Vitinha (26. Francisco Conceicao, 90), 19. Nuno Mendes (25. Pedro Neto, 90) – 7. Cristiano Ronaldo (captain), 17. Rafael Leao (21. Diogo Jota, 63). Selector: Roberto Martinez.
Unused reserves: 1. Rui Patricio, 12. Jose Sa – 24. Antonio Silva, 6. Joao Palhinha, 13. Danilo Pereira, 15. Joao Neves, 16. Matheus Nunes, 18. Ruben Neves, 9. Goncalo Ramos, 11. João Felix.
Czech Republic: 1. Jindrich Stanek – 3. Tomas Holes (19. Tomas Chory, 90+3), 4. Robin Hranac, 18. Ladislav Krejci II – 5. Vladimir Coufal, 25. Pavel Sulc (8. Petr Sevcik, 79) , 22. Tomas Soucek (captain), 14. Lukas Provod (7. Antonin Barak, 79), 12. David Doudera – 11. Jan Kuchta (20. Ondrej Lingr, 60), 10. Patrik Schick (13. Mojmir Chytil, 60). Selector: Ivan Hasek.
Unused reserves: 16. Matej Kovar, 23. Vitezslav Jaros – 2. David Zima, 6. Martin Vitik, 15. David Jurasek, 24. Tomas Vlcek, 21. Lukas Cerv, 26. Matej Jurasek, 9. Adam Hlozek, 17. Vaclav Cerny.
Referee: Marco Guida; assistant referees: Filippo Meli, Giorgio Peretti (all from Italy); fourth official: Rade Obrenovic (Slovenia)
Video referee: Massimiliano Irrati (Italy); video assistant referees: Paolo Valeri (Italy), Fedayi San (Switzerland)
Yellow cards: Rafael Leao (39), Schick (57), Francisco Conceicao (90+3).
