Portugal 2-1 Czech Republic: Francisco Conceição Scores Stoppage-Time Winner on Historic Night for Cristiano Ronaldo

Portugal 2-1 Czech Republic: Francisco Conceição Scores Stoppage-Time Winner on Historic Night for Cristiano Ronaldo

Francisco Conceição came off the bench to score a stoppage-time winner for Portugal in a 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic in their Euro 2024 opener. The Czechs took a surprise lead in the second half through Lukas Provod, but Portugal equalized when Robin Hranac turned the ball into his own net. With minutes remaining, Conceição secured the win for Portugal, sparking wild celebrations. Conceição’s last-minute goal gave Portugal a perfect start to their Euro 2024 campaign, rescuing all three points from a match that seemed headed for a draw against a determined Czech Republic side.

After a goalless first half, Lukas Provod put the underdogs ahead with a scorching shot from outside the penalty area, one that could easily make the goal-of-the-tournament shortlist. This came after Portugal had dominated from the start. They responded just seven minutes later when Robin Hranac scored an own goal, following a mistake-ridden performance by Czech goalkeeper Jindrich Stanek. The game seemed destined for a draw when Diogo Jota’s 88th-minute goal was disallowed for offside. However, Portugal’s manager Roberto Martinez had other plans, making three substitutions in the final five minutes. Two of these substitutes, Pedro Neto and Francisco Conceição, combined to deliver the winning goal, marking a dream start to Conceição’s competitive international career.

This victory places Portugal alongside fellow favorites England, France, Spain, Italy, and the Netherlands, all of whom won their first games of the tournament. However, Portugal remains behind Turkey in Group F, who are next on their fixture list. Despite Portugal’s 74% possession in Leipzig, the Czech Republic did not just defend passively and were opened up several times due to overcommitting in attack and losing the ball.

The Czech team, the youngest in the tournament, played a fast-and-loose game, with Patrik Schick nearly scoring in the first half despite showing some rust after playing just seven times for his country since Euro 2021. Provod’s goal was the first real threat to Diogo Costa in the Portuguese net, with the strike resembling Nicolae Stanciu’s opener for Romania against Ukraine.

Despite defensive lapses, Portugal’s substitutions proved impactful, offering significant relief to under-pressure Roberto Martinez at the full-time whistle.

### Talking Point: Too Much Huff and Puff from Portugal

With just eight teams eliminated after the group stage, this win could be enough for Portugal to secure a spot in the Round of 16, regardless of their other two results. However, this performance didn’t reflect the team that won all their Euro 2024 qualifiers with the best attacking and defensive records. Roberto Martinez’s decision to go with a three-man defense against one of the least formidable teams in the tournament nearly backfired when Provod scored.

Rafael Leao came closest to breaking the deadlock in the first half, but it was Diogo Jota’s introduction that provided a more direct threat. The physical Czech defense, however, handled the aerial crosses aimed at Cristiano Ronaldo relatively comfortably. Ronaldo, initially expected to miss the starting XI, struggled to make an impact until he assisted the disallowed goal. Often out of sync with midfielders Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, and Vitinha, Ronaldo’s performance suggested room for improvement.

Martinez might consider switching to a back four for the remaining games. Neto and Conceição made strong cases for more playing time after their brief but impactful appearances.

### Player of the Match: Bernardo Silva

In a game with few standout performers, Bernardo Silva shone as Portugal’s key link player, particularly combining well with Vitinha despite the team’s need for improvement.

### Player Ratings

**Portugal:** Costa 5, Dias 7, Pepe 6, Mendes 6, Dalot 6, Fernandes 7, Vitinha 6, Cancelo 7, Silva 8, Ronaldo 6, Leao 7.
**Subs:** Jota 7, Inacio 6, Semedo 6, Neto 7, Conceição 7.

**Czechia:** Stanek 5, Hranac 5, Krejci 6, Holes 7, Soucek 7, Coufal 5, Doudera 6, Provod 8, Sulc 6, Schick 5, Kuchta 6.
**Subs:** Chytil 7, Lingr 7, Barak 6, Sevcik 6, Chory 6.

### Match Highlights

**26’ – SO CLOSE TO 1-0!** Fernandes nearly set up Leao with an inch-perfect pass after Coufal lost possession, but Leao couldn’t reach the ball.

**59’ – HAD TO SHOOT:** Silva missed a golden chance in the Czech box, opting to cross instead of shoot, blocked by Hranac.

**62’ – GOAL! PORTUGAL 0-1 CZECHIA (PROVOD):** Provod scored a stunning goal from outside the box, assisted by Chytil.

**69’ – GOAL!! PORTUGAL 1-1 CZECHIA (HRANAC OG):** Portugal equalized through an own goal by Hranac after a scramble in the Czech box.

**87’ – GOAL!!! PORTUGAL 2-1 CZECHIA (JOTA):** Ronaldo’s header hit the post, but Jota turned it in, only for the goal to be disallowed for offside.

**90+2’ – GOAL!!!! PORTUGAL 2-1 CZECHIA (CONCEICAO):** Neto set up Conceição, who scored the winning goal in injury time, securing the win for Portugal.