It there was a team in this year‘s EURO who felt that this is their last chance to win the tournament with a great blend of experience and technical superiority, than it was Portugal. A team with players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Raphael Leao, Vitinha, just to name a few, must be right up there with the other favorites in this edition of UEFA‘s top competition. Their opening game was against Czech Republic, hardy a tough opponent and the outcome was still a very nervy and last-minute win. The Czech caused the Portuguese much trouble, and yet their defensive blunders allowed Ronaldo and co. to secure a 2-1 win.2 – Pepe (41y 113d) and Cristiano Ronaldo (39y 134d) – both named in Portugal’s starting XI – will tonight become the two oldest outfield players to ever appear at the European Championship finals. Seniority. #EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/9wyQJY6Pg7— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 18, 2024 With such a firepower, it‘s just unbelievable that the Portuguese couldn‘t score before the 94th minute, but Czech‘s relentless defense worked well, apart from Robin Hranáč, who scored an own goal and made a terrible mistake at the end of the game, which sealed Czech‘s fate. It was attack versus defense all night long as Portugal ‘camped‘ in the enemy territory most of the game. But, keeper Stanek was there to defend all the shots thrown at him, while Portugal complicated too much at time, trying to create the best possible opportunity to score. So when Czech Republic scored from a volley after one hour, they were in shock, but then came Hranač to ‘rescue‘ them with an own goal. Coach Roberto Martinez didn‘t change Ronaldo, but his late sub proved to be the key. Sergio Conseisao‘s son Francisco came in the 90th minute and used Hranač‘s mistake in the 94th to bring joy to his nation.The first really good chance in the first half happened after half and hour. It was Ronaldo with an unusual miss, considering he was one one one with Czech keeper Stanek. Fernandes made an excellent assist and the Al-Nassr forward rushed up front, but Stanek saved. If Ronaldo scored, the situation would surely be under review, considering that he was on the brink of offside. The Portugal captain had another massive chance in the last minute of the first half, but Stanek was there again to save it. Fernandes and Silva combined at another short corner and the ball came to Ronaldo who turned inside and tried to score, but Czech keeper was there again.It was former Real Madrid star who missed another opportunity in the second half, but this was the weakest one, since it was a free kick from 25 meters and the ball went straight into the hands of the keeper. And then came the punishment. In one of their rare attacks in this game, Provod scored a great goal in the 62nd minute from outside the box, beating Costa for an unexpected lead. But soon it all came back as Hranac scored an unfortunate own goal to level the score. Stanek was prepared to save his team once more, this time after a shot from Silva in the 77th minute. The stadium erupted when Portugal finally scored in the 87th minute via Jota, but Ronaldo, who hit the post seconds before the goal was offside. It all looked like a draw, before Conseisao came in and got the victory.EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP – GROUP STAGETuesdayTurkey – Georgia 3-1 (1-1)/Muldur 25, Guler 65, Akturkoglu 90+7 – Mikautadze 32/Portugal – Czech R. 12-1 (0-0)/Hranac (og) 69, Conseisao 94 – Provod 62/Wednesday16.00: (1.53) Croatia (3.90) Albania (7.00)19.00: (1.35) Germany (4.90) Hungary (9.50)22.00: (3.70) Scotland (3.40) Switzerland (2.05)
