Euro 2024 – Portugal-Czech Republic 2-1: Conceição fairytale, came on in the 90th minute and scored the winning goal in the 92nd minute

The man of destiny is called Francisco Conceição. Who is not only Sergio’s son, but also and above all a footballer with a bright present and future. And, from this evening, the man who allows Portugal to sleep a little more peacefully in view of the continuation of the European Championships. The Lusitanians beat the Czech Republic 2-1, suffering, sweating, only imposing themselves at the end after going behind. And the decisive character is himself, Conceição: in the 90th minute Martinez puts him on the pitch giving him his debut for the national team in official matches (up until now he had only played in friendly matches) and in the second minute of injury time he thanks him by scoring the winning goal. Previously, despite a clear Portuguese dominance in dribbling and offensive maneuvers, it was surprisingly the Czechs who passed first with a great right-footed shot from outside by Provod. Instead, it was an own goal from Hranac that caught them again. Then the decisive flash from Conceição, just a few minutes after a goal disallowed by Diogo Jota for offside by Cristiano Ronaldo. Portugal at the top of group F together with Turkey, Czech Republic stopped at zero with Georgia.

Portugal-Czech Republic 2-1 (first half 0-0)

Portugal (3-4-3): Diogo Costa; Ruben Dias, Pepe, Nuno Mendes (90′ Conceição); Dalot (63′ Gonçalo Inacio), Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha (90′ Pedro Neto), Cancelo (90′ Semedo); Bernardo Silva, Cristiano Ronaldo, Leão (63′ Diogo Jota). Ct. Martinez

Czech Republic (3-5-2): Stanek; Hranac, Krejci, Holes (90′ Chory); Coufal, Sulc (79′ Sevcik), Soucek, Provod (79′ Barak), Doudera; Kuchta (61′ Lingr), Schick (61′ Chytil). Ct. Hasek

Referee: Marco Guida (Italy)

Goal: 62′ Provod (R), 69′ aut. Hranac (P), 92′ Conceição (P)

Warned: Leão, Schick, Conceição

32′ – Great cut into the area by Bruno Fernandes for Cristiano Ronaldo, who starts in a suspicious position but sees his close-range left-footed shot blocked by Stanek.

62′ – GOAL BY THE CZECH REPUBLIC. Sensational in Leipzig: Provod’s very angled right foot from outside the area, Diogo Costa doesn’t reach it and the Czechs are ahead with the first shot on goal. 0-1.

69′ – GOAL FOR PORTUGAL. Nuno Mendes stands out, Stanek smacks and bounces the ball against Hranac’s body and then into the net. Own goal and equalizer for Portugal. 1-1.

87′ – Cancelo’s cross from the right, Cristiano Ronaldo hits the post with his head and Diogo Jota gives Stanek no chance. The goal was initially validated and then canceled due to an initial offside by CR7.

92′ – GOAL FOR PORTUGAL. Pedro Neto flies to the left, Hranac is unable to respond, the new substitute Conceição is there and from two steps unloads into the net with his left foot. 2-1.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Conceição at the end of the match: a hug between two generations.

Francisco CONCEIÇÃO. He came on in the 90th minute and two minutes later, when the stadium lights were going out, he scored the goal that gave Portugal a winning debut. What more could you want?

Robin HRANAC. Unlucky, more than clumsy, on the occasion of the own goal. In injury time he guiltily leaves the ball there which Conceição will dump into the net. Bad evening.