Taking the field in the final match of the first round of EURO 2024 on the morning of June 19, the Portuguese team had to struggle to come back to defeat the Czech Republic 2-1.

The attraction of the Portuguese team and Ronaldo at EURO 2024 is unquestionable. More than 10,000 fans were present to watch the highest rated team in Group F practice before the match against the Czech Republic said it all. At the age of 39, Ronaldo set a record when he made his 6th appearance at EURO . His close friend Pepe was also placed in the starting lineup by coach Roberto Martinez, becoming the oldest player to ever play in the tournament (41 years and 113 days). In addition to these two veteran players, the Portuguese team also plays with many high-class players such as Bruno Fernandes, Rafael Leao, and Ruben Dias. A big victory, affirming its position as a championship candidate is definitely what the Portuguese team is aiming for.

Meanwhile, the Czech Republic team is not much different from EURO 2020 – where they were the “dark horse”. Coach Ivan Hasek did not hide his intention to score points by sending the best players such as Patrik Schick, Tomas Soucek, and Vladimir Coufal onto the field.

Ronaldo (right cover) and Pepe (left cover) set new EURO records

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Being underestimated, the Czech Republic team is not afraid of their opponents. Tomas Soucek is positioned to play lowest in the middle and he helps his teammates coordinate the ball extremely well. In the first minutes, the Czech Republic team entered the game with excitement and caused many difficulties on the Portuguese right wing.

However, with their superior class, it was not difficult for Portugal to regain control of the ball. In the first half, the “European Selecao” held the ball 75% of the time, had 9 shots and performed a variety of attacking moves. The trio of Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Vitinha often changed positions. Rafael Leao with his speed and technique also tormented the Czech Republic’s defense on the left wing. The only destination in the Portuguese team’s attacks was none other than Ronaldo.

Rafael Leao stands out on the Portuguese team’s attack line

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Ronaldo still brings a lot of danger even though he is 39 years old

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After a period of struggling, the Portuguese team had a dangerous situation in the 26th minute. Bernardo Silva, after pulling the ball, made a convenient pass to Bruno Fernandes on the right wing. In an empty position, the midfielder wearing the number 8 shirt of Portugal stretched for Rafael Leao to run in to cushion the ball, but the AC Milan player was a step slow.

Following Rafael Leao, Ronaldo was given a chance in the 32nd minute. The Portuguese captain moved smartly, receiving a delicate pass from his teammate to face goalkeeper Jindrich Stanek. However, luck was not on Ronaldo’s side once again when his shot hit the opponent’s hand. At the end of the first half, the striker wearing the number 7 shirt was given another chance but Ronaldo’s turn and shot only left fans with regret.

Ronaldo had many chances but could not score in the first half

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Deadlocked in the first half, the Portuguese team increased the attack tempo in the second half. Coach Roberto Martinez also changed the attacking plans when his team often put pressure on the right wing.

But after attacking a lot but not being able to score, the Portuguese team paid the price in the 62nd minute. In a rare attack by the Czech team, the ball was unexpectedly passed to Lukas Provod in an empty position. The Portuguese team’s defense was completely passive and the Czech midfielder wearing the number 14 shirt comfortably watched and fired a shot past goalkeeper Diogo Costa.

Portugal’s defense was complacent and conceded a goal.

REUTER

Lukas Provod is the owner of the beautiful goal against the Portuguese team.

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Receiving a goal, the Portuguese team appeared confused on the offensive front. Ronaldo and his teammates often failed passes and had many difficulties against the Czech Republic’s deep-lying squad. But when the Portuguese team remained deadlocked, the Czech defense made a mistake when Robin Hranac scored an own goal, bringing the match back to the starting line. More worth mentioning, Robin Hranac was the best Czech player from the beginning of the match with a series of accurate saves.

Robin Hranac (No. 4) scored an own goal, helping the Portuguese team equalize

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The last minutes witnessed the terrible pressure that the Portuguese team exerted in front of the Czech Republic’s goal. In the 87th minute, after Ronaldo’s header hit the post, Diogo Jota put the ball into the Czech Republic’s net. However, VAR stepped in and determined that Ronaldo was offside, and the Portuguese team’s goal was not recognized.

It seemed like the match would end in a draw, but coach Roberto Martinez’s substitutions paid off. Francisco Conceicao came on in the 90th minute and it only took him about a minute to score against the Czech Republic, sealing a hard-fought 2-1 comeback for the Portuguese team.

Portugal team makes a comeback thanks to an unexpected face

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Despite winning 2-1 against the Czech Republic, it is clear that the Portuguese team still has a lot of work to do. Coach Roberto Martinez’s students are ranked 2nd in Group F, with 3 points equal to the Turkish team but inferior in terms of additional index. In the next match, Ronaldo and his teammates will face the same opponent.