Portugal overcame the Czech Republic 2-1 with a stoppage-time goal from Francisco Conceicao
\n GERMANY
\nCristiano Ronaldo\u2019s Portugal beat the Czech Republic 2-1 to claim a Euro 2024 debut victory on Tuesday but they needed to come from behind with a 92nd-minute winner from youngster Francisco Conceicao.
\nEarlier in the section\u2019s other clash, Turkey bested Georgia 3-1 in a pulsating match in Dortmund.
\nRoberto Martinez\u2019s Portugal qualified at a canter with a 100 percent record, but only just scraped victory in Leipzig in their first match, under driving rain.
\nRonaldo played at a record-extending sixth European Championship and 41-year-old defender Pepe became the tournament\u2019s oldest ever player for the Selecao.
\nThe Czechs went ahead against the run of play through Lukas Provod\u2019s fine strike from the edge of the box after the hour mark, but Robin Hranac\u2019s own goal soon pulled Portugal level before Conceicao\u2019s winner.
\n\u201cWe want to do more, but there was also a lot of emotion, a lot of desire and sometimes we failed to pull off the strategic plan,\u201d said Portugal midfielder Vitinha, awarded player of the match.
\n\u201cWe wanted to come out strong, show our strength and unfortunately we conceded the goal first, on the Czech Republic\u2019s first opportunity.
\n\u201cWe showed all our coolness and resilience.\u201d
\nPortugal supporters chanted Ronaldo\u2019s name and imitated his \u201cSuuuui\u201d celebration shout as they marched to the game waving flags and in high spirits despite a brief but intense thunderstorm.
\nAround 8,000 fans attended Portugal\u2019s open training session on Saturday, many of whom were just hoping for a glimpse of the 39-year-old former Real Madrid striker.
\nThousands of fans sported replica Ronaldo shirts but were unable to watch the all-time record Euros goalscorer find the net on a frustrating night against a solid Czech side.
\nRonaldo was thrice denied by goalkeeper Jindrich Stanek on a record Euros appearance and headed against the post, but was offside.
\nDiogo Jota put the rebound into the net but the goal was disallowed after VAR highlighted Al Nassr striker Ronaldo\u2019s infringement.
\nIt did not matter for Portugal in the end as 21-year-old Porto winger Conceicao struck from close range.
\n\u201cWe have a great team spirit, we will fight until the end and Portugal will be alive until the end,\u201d said defender Mendes.
\nThe Czechs were left agonising after battling so hard and almost claiming a point.
\n\u201cIt hurts terribly when you work like this for 90 minutes, you give everything and you lose in the end,\u201d said Czech goalscorer Provod.
\n\u201cOur defenders played an incredible game. We just needed a bit more luck.\u201d
\nA well-supported Turkey started the Euros in entertaining fashion with an end-to-end win over debutants Georgia.
\nReal Madrid playmaker Arda Guler scored a brilliant goal, along with strikes by Mert Muldur and Kerem Akturkoglu, to delight the masses of Turkish supporters.
\nGeorgia were dangerous after Georges Mikautadze levelled Muldur\u2019s superbly hit opener, and struck the woodwork.
\nNapoli star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was below his best but despite defeat his team offered enough to give themselves hope for the matches ahead, against the Czech Republic and then Portugal.
\n\u201cIt was a match worthy of the Euros, we had great support even in difficult moments. This win is also for them and the party that they\u2019ll have,\u201d Turkey coach Vincenzo Montella told reporters.
\n\u201cIt\u2019s my 50th birthday today so it was perfect day of sport and the victory was the best present that the boys could have given me.\u201d
\nHosts Germany are back in action on Wednesday as the second round of group matches commences, facing Hungary in Stuttgart.
\nScotland are chasing their first victory at a major tournament since 1996 as they take on Switzerland in the other Group A match, while in Group B Croatia play Albania.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Portugal overcame the Czech Republic 2-1 with a stoppage-time goal from Francisco Conceicao GERMANY Cristiano Ronaldo\u2019s Portugal beat the Czech Republic 2-1 to claim a Euro 2024 debut victory on Tuesday but they needed to come from behind with a 92nd-minute winner from youngster Francisco Conceicao. Earlier in the section\u2019s other clash, Turkey bested Georgia […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":413411,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-413400","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports"},"yoast_head":"\n