The Czechs managed to keep Cristiano Ronaldo, who became the first man to play at six European Championships, under wraps but ultimately paid for their cautious approach.
Francisco Conceicao came off the bench to grab a predatory stoppage-time winner as Portugal kick-started their Euro 2024 campaign with an edgy 2-1 Group F win over a dogged Czech Republic on Tuesday .
Yet the unfortunate Hranac scored an own goal seven minutes later to set up a frantic finish that saw Portugal claim the three points to leave them level in the group with Turkey who beat Georgia 3-1 earlier on Tuesday. The match was meant to be a walk in the park for highly fancied Portugal, who came into the tournament on the back of a flawless qualifying campaign in which they won all 10 matches, scoring 36 goals and conceding twice.While Portugal predictably dominated the ball, with 70 per cent possession, 19 shots and 13 corners, the workmanlike Czechs provided an infuriating obstacle for Roberto Martinez’s side.
Ronaldo had another shot beaten away by Stanek just before the break and a header deflected over shortly after the restart, but it wasn’t long before Portugal were hit with a hammer blow.Out of nowhere the Czechs worked the ball down the pitch and Vladimir Coufal fed Provod who curled a stunning finish beyond the reach of keeper Diogo Costa into the net.
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