Euro 2024: Portugal Secure Opening Game Victory Coming From Behind To Defeat Czech Republic

 

Portugal claimed thrilling 2-1 victory against Czech Republic coming from behind to win in the stoppage time from Francisco Canceiao in the opening game of the Euro 2024. 

After a goalless first half, the Czech seized a counter to move ahead from Lukas Provod's 20-yard shot that beat Costa to the goal. Portugal later equalised from Mendes' header that was deflected into the net by Robin Hranac for an own goal. 

With minutes left to play in the latter stages, Diogo Jota's goal from a header was canceled for offside position by the VAR. Then, in the stoppages, Canceiao seized a defensive mistake in the six-yard box following Pedro Neto's cross to seal the game for the side and smacked the ball into the net for the winning goal. 

Portugal are now in second place behind Turkiye in Group F. Cristiano Ronaldo who started the game with the side has now featured in the Euro Championship for the sixth consecutive times. 

Overview 

Plausible performance from Portugal for keeping the pressure on until they come from behind to win. The Czech, on their part, were resilient on their defensive approach to the game, they successfully held the Portuguese to goalless first half; credit to good goalkeeping from Stanek. 

Even as Portugal's equalizer came off a defensive error, it is complementing to their efforts from first half that witnessed Stanek making brilliant saves including Ronaldo's. Besides the winning goal coming off yet another defensive error, Portugal deserved the victory considering that they had build up the pressure. First, with Cristiano Ronaldo's missed chance to the framework followed by Diogo Jota's goal from a header that was canceled.