In pain, Portugal wins. For its entry into the running for Euro 2024, the Seleção das quinas won at the end of the suspense against a valiant team from the Czech Republic, unsinkable for most of the match.
Trailing shortly after the hour mark, Roberto Martinez’s men reversed the situation before being released by Francisco Conceiçao in the 92nd minute of play. Barely entered the game, the son of Sergio, ex-coach of FC Porto, delivered their nation by crucifying Jindrich Stanek at close range following a ball poorly cleared by the Czech defense.
Enough to allow Cristiano Ronaldo’s teammates to make a successful debut in Germany. Top scorer in the history of the Euro (14 goals) and record holder for the number of matches played in the competition (25), CR7 began its sixth campaign in a European Championship this Tuesday, another record. “I have the honor of being alongside a team of champions, full of talent and determination. With everyone’s strength and support, we turn dreams into reality. Let’s fight together for another triumph. United, we are unstoppable. Go Portugal! », Declared the five-time Ballon d’Or during the day on his social networks, calling for unity behind the selection.
Portuguese,
Today begins another chapter in our history. I fondly remember my first day with the national team, a journey full of challenges and victories. Now, I have the honor of being alongside a team of champions, full of talent and determination. With the… pic.twitter.com/ITTwyDtfKe— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) June 18, 2024
A dominant but ineffective Portugal
Opposed to a Czech team cowering in front of its goal, the Portuguese had all the difficulty in the world to set up their offensive game, despite the explosiveness provided by Rafael Leão. The AC Milan left winger came close to opening the score shortly before the half-hour mark, slightly too short to cut Bruno Fernandes’ good cross (26th). Available and generous in effort, Ronaldo also believed he could deliver his own but twice came up against Stanek (32nd and 45th + 1), author of two decisive saves.
Still as conquering at the start of the second act, like this header from the Al-Nassr attacker blocked at close range by Hrnac (55th), the Seleção finally saw the sky fall on their heads at the strongest of his domination. With a powerful right-footed cross strike, Lukas Provod left Diogo Costa speechless, allowing the Czechs to open the scoring with their third strike of the game, almost a miracle given the nature of the match (62nd, 0- 1).
Stanek pushed back the deadline
It also took a miracle for the 2016 European champions to equalize seven minutes later. Following a header from Nuno Mendes that was poorly pushed to the ground by Stanek, Hranac was unable to avoid the own goal, resetting the counters to zero (69th, 1-1).
Eager to start their 2024 campaign with a success, the Portuguese continued to push late in the match. Impassable, Stanek pushed back Bernardo Silva’s long-range attempt (72nd) with his chest before making a more academic save in front of Vitinha (78th).
And even when he was beaten, Diogo Jota believing he was giving his team the lead in the 87th minute, the Slavia Prague goalkeeper was saved by a prior offside position from Ronaldo.
Fortunately for the Seleção, Francisco Conceiçao was passing by. Leader of its group tied with Turkey (3 points), Portugal now awaits the formation of Vincenzo Montella during a match which promises to be decisive for first place, scheduled for Saturday June 22 at 6 p.m.
