European Championship favorite happy

Portugal v Czech Republic – LIVE from 9pm

Cristiano Ronaldo

(Bild: AFP)

Favorite Portugal won a narrow 2:1 victory against the Czech Republic in their Group F opener on Tuesday. Completely against the run of play, the Czechs took the lead in the 62nd minute through Lukas Provod. However, they gave it back seven minutes later through an own goal by Robin Hranac. Portugal finally redeemed themselves through Francisco Conceicao in the 92nd minute. 

Cristiano Ronaldo failed to score, but broke another record. The 39-year-old captain made his sixth appearance at the European Championships. His appearance was Ronaldo's 26th at a European Championship finals, the most by any player.

Ronaldo was unable to score against the Czech Republic.

(Bild: AFP or licensors)

Portugal only posed slight problems in the first half during a bold opening phase by the Czechs, but the defense around the new European Championship record holder Pepe never faltered. At 41 years and 113 days, he replaced the previous Hungarian record holder Gabor Kiraly, who had been 40 years and 86 days old against Belgium at Euro 2016.

Portugal dominated the game
After a quarter of an hour at the latest, the game had taken on the expected character. It became a game of patience for the Portuguese, who were eager to pass in front of their barricaded penalty area, as the tall Czechs kept things tight for long stretches and at times the Portuguese combination play became slightly static.

In the end, Portugal were able to celebrate.

(Bild: AFP or licensors)

Two Ronaldo chances, which were thwarted by Czech goalkeeper Jindrich Stanek, were particularly memorable. Once he was on hand to save from close range after a precise Fernandes assist (32'), and shortly before the break he made a timely diving save with a shot to the far corner (45.+1). There was also not much missing when Leao (26) and Vitinha (33) had chances to make it 1-0 for the World Cup quarter-finalists.

A goal out of nowhere!
Relief attacks from the underdogs were a rare commodity. Moments of transition were either suffocated by the Selecao's immediate counter-pressing or their own inability. Portugal's 73% possession rate spoke volumes and hardly looked any different after the break.

Just a few minutes after a Ronaldo header across the face of goal (54') had initiated an intense Portuguese phase, the Czechs were celebrating with their first noteworthy offensive effort. Provod profited from slight defensive inconsistency and shot into the top left corner from the second row.

Portugal reacted furiously and equalized a little later in curious fashion. Stanek's attempted clearance from Mendes' cross bounced off Hranac's leg and into the net. Shortly afterwards, Stanek did better with a long-range shot from Vitinha (78').

The visibly tired Czechs even had the chance to score a further goal through Ondrej Lingr (82nd/offside), but were mainly occupied with keeping their opponents' final offensive at bay. For the time being, they were unable to do so, as Diogo Jota's 2:1 was disallowed by VAR for offside (88'). Four minutes later, however, Conceicao, who had just come on as a substitute, scored from close range after another unfortunate challenge from Hranac.

Portugal - Czech Republic 2:1 (0:0)
Leipzig, SR Guida/ITA

Goals: 
0:1 (62') Provod
1:1 (69') Hranac (own goal)
2:1 (92.) Conceicao

Portugal : Costa - Dalot (63rd Inacio), Pepe, Dias - Cancelo (90th Semedo), B. Silva, Fernandes, Vitinha (90th Conceicao), Mendes (90th Neto) - Ronaldo, Leao (63rd Jota)

Czech Republic: Stanek - Holes (93rd Chory), Hranac, Krejci - Coufal, Sulc (79th Sevcik), Soucek, Provod (79th Barak), Doudera - Kuchta (60th Lingr), Schick (60th Chytil)

Yellow cards: Leao, Conceicao and Schick respectively