The match between Portugal and the Czech Republic in the group stage of EURO 2024 ended with a very difficult comeback for Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates.

Goals
Portugal: Hranac (69′, own goal), Conceicao (90+1′)
Czech Republic: Provod (62′)

As expected, Portugal took the field with the strongest squad in the opening match of the EURO 2024 group stage, including two record holders, immortals of the continent’s most prestigious international arena – Cristiano. Ronaldo and Pepe. In addition, Seleccao also has the world’s top stars such as Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Vitina or Rafael Leao.

With the strongest squad and better quality, it is not surprising that Portugal is the team that completely controls the game on the field. The first 45 minutes saw Portugal controlling the ball 72% of the time, launching 9 shots, receiving 8 corner kicks but not taking advantage of the success to convert into goals.

Ronaldo, as usual, was the name that received the most balls and the 39-year-old superstar personally had at least 3 finishing opportunities but could not beat the excellence of goalkeeper Stanek, who played very focused and received the ball.

Very good protection from teammates. Meanwhile, during the first 45 minutes, the Czech Republic played with abandon and did not have any shots.

Becoming the first match without a goal scored in the first half at EURO 2024, Portugal entered the second half with great determination to find a goal soon. However, Seleccao’s top attacking stars were unable to find a way into goalkeeper Stanek’s goal when faced with a densely arranged and multi-layered defense.

Provod surprisingly opened the scoring for the Czech Republic

Attacking a lot but not scoring a goal, Portugal suffered from the cruel rules of football when they had to concede a goal in the 62nd minute after the Czech Republic’s first shot from the beginning of the match.

Defender Coufal had a very favorable return situation for midfielder Provod to shoot right at the edge of the penalty area, sending the ball into the far corner to beat goalkeeper Costa, opening a surprising score for the Czech Republic.

Suddenly conceding a goal, coach Roberto Martinez made personnel changes to turn the situation around and immediately promote effectiveness. While the attacking stars could not score a goal, Portugal benefited from an own goal.

Defender Nuno Mendes, positioned high, had a header at a tight angle, forcing goalkeeper Stanek to punch the ball, but it hit the foot of his rushing teammate Hranac, accidentally becoming an own goal.

Conceicao set the score 2-1 for Portugal in the first minute of injury time

Excited after the equalizer, Portugal continued to push the team higher in search of more goals and the drama came in the final minutes of the match. In the 87th minute, Ronaldo hit the post with a header, and Jota headed the ball into the Czech Republic’s net. However, the goal was not recognized as Ronaldo was in an offside position.

By the first minute of extra time of the match, coach Martinez’s two changes were effective. Pedro Neto had a cross inside for Francisco Conceicao, son of former player Sergio Conceicao, to hit Stanek’s net after defender Hranac failed to clear the ball decisively. This was also the goal that set the score of the match, thereby helping Portugal come back to win.

Here you go: Costa , Dias, Pepe, Nuno Mendes, Dalot (Inácio 63′), Bruno Fernandes (Pedro Neto 90′), Vitinha (Conceicao 90′), Joao Cancelo (Semedo 90′), Bernardo Silva , Ronaldo, Leao (Jota 63′)
CH Sec: Stanek, Hranac, Krejci, Holes (Chory 90′), Soucek, Coufal, Provod (Barák 79′), Sulc (Sevcik 79′), Doudera, Schick (Chytil 60′ ), Kuchta (Lingr 60′)

Match statistics

Charts