Euro 2024: Portugal gets late victory against Czech

Portugal needed a goal in added time to secure a 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic in their 2024 UEFA European Championship Group F opener.

Francisco Conceicao emerged as the unexpected hero for Portugal’s comeback win at the Leipzig stadium on Tuesday.

Lucas Provod had initially put the Czechs ahead before an own goal equalized the score, setting the stage for the dramatic last-minute winner.

Cristiano Ronaldo, participating in a record sixth European Championship, had several opportunities to give Portugal the lead but failed to capitalize, allowing the Czechs to strike after the hour mark.

Provod scored from 25 yards out after Portugal failed to clear their lines effectively.

However, nine minutes later, a Nuno Mendes header was parried by the goalkeeper, only for it to rebound off Robin Hanac and cross the line for the equalizer.

Portugal had a goal disallowed due to a Ronaldo offside, detected by the semi-automated offside technology. Nonetheless, Roberto Martinez’s team clinched victory when Conceicao, who had come on three minutes earlier, scored with his first touch, tapping the ball into the net from a couple of yards out.

In another match of the day, Turkey defeated Georgia 3-1, with 19-year-old Arda Guler making history.

The Turkish attacking midfielder scored his nation’s second goal, breaking a Cristiano Ronaldo record in the process. The Real Madrid youngster is now the youngest debutant to score a goal at the Euros.