Francisco Conceicao's Late Strike Secures Portugal's Dramatic Win Over Czech Republic

With an intense 2-1 Group F victory over a tenacious Czech Republic on Tuesday, Portugal began their Euro 2024 campaign with a stoppage-time winner from Francisco Conceicao, who came off the bench.

In the third minute of added time, Conceicao, 21, took advantage of a mistake made by Robin Hranac to score from close range. Just moments earlier, Portugal had been devastated to see a Diogo Jota effort disallowed by VAR for offside.

Lukas Provod's incredible curling effort seemed to produce a major upset, but the Czechs unexpectedly took the lead in the 62nd minute, shocking the Portuguese supporters crammed into Leipzig Stadium.

???????????? UEFA Player of the Match for Portugal vs Czech Republic: Vitinha. pic.twitter.com/Ys4uXw5i1X — Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 18, 2024

Turkey defeats Georgia 3-1 at Euro 2024 thanks to a stunning performance by Arda Guler.
However, seven minutes later, the unfortunate Hranac scored an own goal to set up a thrilling climax that saw Portugal win the three points and draw even in the group with Turkey, who earlier on Tuesday defeated Georgia 3-1.

Portugal, who entered the tournament fresh off a perfect qualification campaign in which they won all ten games, scoring 36 goals and conceded just twice, was expected to cruise through the Czech match.

However, as is frequently the case in competitions, the script required a hurried revision.

As was to be expected, Portugal dominated the ball and quickly established camp in Czech territory, but Ivan Hasek's disciplined team put up a strong fight to keep them mostly at arm's length.

Despite their possession, Portugal's opportunities were scarce. Rafael Leao's sly rushes down the left wing were their most inventive weapon, but he was booked in the first half for a spectacular dive.

As expected, Ronaldo was at the center of most of Portugal's attempts. However, he missed their finest opportunity of the first half when Bruno Fernandes played him through on goal, and goalkeeper Jindrich Stanek expertly spread himself to block the striker's effort.

Just before halftime, Ronaldo saw another effort saved by Stanek, and just after the restart, a header was deflected over, but soon after, Portugal suffered a crushing blow.

Cristiano Ronaldo's game by numbers for Portugal vs. Czech Republic:

100% pass accuracy
32 touches
22/22 passes completed
5 shots
2 key passes
1 big chance created

Led the line well, linked the play & was a threat in the box. ????????????#EURo2024 #EurowithOltsports pic.twitter.com/ZwCdCFNZli — Olt Sports (@oltsport_) June 18, 2024

The Czechs suddenly pushed the ball down the field, and Vladimir Coufal found Provod, who curled a spectacular finish past goalkeeper Diogo Costa and into the net.

But the lead did not last long, as Portugal equalized with a fair amount of luck. Nuno Mendes headed a ball to the back post toward the goal, but Stanek's save ricocheted off defender Hranac's knee and into his own net.

When Ronaldo headed against the post and Jota was there to convert the rebound, Portugal appeared to have won, but VAR quickly determined that Ronaldo was slightly offside.

But it didn't matter because Conceicao rushed in to score a goal after Hranac botched his clearance effort.

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