Francisco Conceicao’s 92nd-minute goal ensured a winning start to Euro 2024 for Portugal as Roberto Martinez’s side came from behind to beat Czech Republic 2-1 in Group F.
As the clock ticked down in stoppage time at the Leipzig Stadium, Porto youngster Conceicao, making his first competitive appearance for Portugal, netted from close range after Czech Republic failed to clear a low cross from fellow substitute Pedro Neto.
Earlier in the second half, Czech Republic midfielder Lukas Provod’s stunning strike from the edge of the box had punished Portugal’s failure to take numerous chances, many of which fell to a wasteful Cristiano Ronaldo, making history as the first player to feature at a sixth European Championship at the age of 39.
Portugal levelled shortly after Provod’s shock opener in fortuitous circumstances when Czech Republic goalkeeper Jindrich Stanek pushed a Nuno Mendes header into the legs of defender Robin Hranac, with the ball bouncing back into the net for an own goal.
It seemed the Czechs were going to hang on for a point when Diogo Jota’s 87th-minute header, after Ronaldo’s effort had come back off the post, was ruled out for offside following a VAR check.
But, with only two minutes of stoppage time remaining, Neto and Conceicao combined to clinch a narrow win, ensuring Portugal, European champions in 2016 and one of the favourites to win this year’s tournament, move level on points with Turkey, who beat Georgia 3-1 in the earlier game in Group F.
