Euro 2024: Portugal secure late victory against Czech as Turkey beat Georgia

Portugal needed a goal in added time to record a 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic in their 2024 UEFA European Championship Group F opener. 

Francisco Conceicao was the unlikely hero of Portugal’s comeback win at the Leipzig stadium on Tuesday.

Lucas Provod had put the Czechs ahead before an own goal restored parity, paving the way for the last-gasp winner.

Cristiano Ronaldo, appearing in a record sixth European Championship, had chances to put the Selecao in the lead but uncharacteristically failed to finish them off before the Czechs pounced after the hour.

Provod slammed home from 25 yards after Portugal could not clear their line appropriately.

However, a Nuno Mendes header at the back post was parried by the goalkeeper, but it hit Robin Hanac and crossed the line for the leveller nine minutes later.

Portugal had a goal ruled out for a Ronaldo offside by the semi-automated offside technology, but Roberto Martinez’s side triumphed at the end when Conceicao, who had come on three minutes earlier, scored with his fist touch, tapping into the net from a couple of yards out.

In the other game of the day, Turkey defeated Georgia 3-1, with 19-year-old Arda Guler making history.

The Turkish attacking midfielder scored his nation’s second goal, breaking a Cristiano Ronaldo record in the process. The Real Madrid youngster is now the youngest debutant to score a goal at the Euros.