Portugal vs Czech Republic live updates (2024)

All eyes were on Ronaldo — but instead it was Czech Republic who took the lead, with yet another strike from outside the box; the 11th of this tournament.

Portugal were handed a huge slice of luck when Robin Hranac turned into his own net seven minutes after going behind.

And then arrived Francisco Conceicao.

Our own Tim Spiers, Tom Burrows and Sam Lee take us through all the key talking points.

This is a great one from Opta Analyst. No player in the opening round of Euro 2024 group games was involved in more open-play shot sequences than Bruno Fernandes tonight.

That means taking a shot, creating a chance or having a role in the build-up to a shot.

Fernandes had 11 of them, and this shows the breakdown.

Not only did Francisco Conceicao score after just 111 seconds of coming on.

He also became the first Portugal player to score as a substitute at the European Championship since Eder… who won the 2016 final against France.

Nice stuff, Chico.

It was overtaken in the end, but it really was a lovely moment for Slavia Prague midfielder Lukas Provod, when he opened the scoring tonight.

He missed Euro 2020 with an ACL injury, studied for an economics degree during his recovery, and put his country ahead in their Euro 2024 opener with a fabulous goal.

It's hard to look at these numbers and think Portugal deserved anything but to win tonight. Here they are...

FT: Portugal 2-1 Czech Republic

• Possession: 74% — 26%
• Shots: 19 — 5
• On target: 8 — 1
• XG: 1.74 — 0.43
• Big chances: 4 — 0
• Blocked shots: 7 — 2
• Duels won: 49 — 38
• Dispossessed: 6 — 4

We did think Portugal would come through in the end, and they did. But on that showing, I would probably have a couple of others squads ahead of them in the pecking order to win Euro 2024 (he says, getting completely ahead of himself).

Cristiano Ronaldo was involved too. He had the highest individual xG of any player and more shots than anyone else (5). Although the latter can clearly influence the former.

But it was Chico Conceicao who had the largest xG. A whopping 0.72 in fact, for just a few minutes of action — and becoming the matchwinner as a result.

Francisco Conceicao was on the pitch for 111 seconds, and scored with just his second touch.

How about that for efficiency?

Incredible impact from the two subs - Pedro Neto's cross, Francisco Conceicao's finish.

There were SIX attacking players - Diogo Jota, Pedro Neto, Francisco Conceicao, Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva - on the pitch at the end there.

90+2' Portugal 2-1 Czech Republic

It’s a fabulous touch and a composed finish from Francisco Conceicao and made by Pedro Neto, who had only come on a few minutes earlier too.

But there is also big help from Hranac again, as he slips and Neto’s cross is popped on a plate for Conceicao.

The scorer is booked for his celebrations, as the shirt swiftly comes off.

90+2' Portugal 2-1 Czech Republic

Surely this one will stand! Portugal lead for the first time, with Francisco Conceicao scoring only two minutes after coming on!

90+1' Portugal 1-1 Czech Republic

We have four added minutes on the way.

89' Portugal 1-1 Czech Republic

Ronaldo's arm was marginally offside when that cross came in but that was resolved by VAR impressively quickly.

88' Portugal 1-1 Czech Republic

I mean, that is quite funny. A great ball into the box, Ronaldo heads towards the far post. It hits the post, comes out to Jota and he finishes the move.

BUT Ronaldo was offside for that initial header and the goal is swiftly chalked off.

87' Portugal 2-1 Czech Republic

They’ve done it surely! Portugal take the lead, and it’s Diogo Jota!

85' Portugal 1-1 Czech Republic

What a fabulous turn and break from Nuno Mendes, who takes three out of the game and is left sprinting with the ball into Czech territory.

He feeds Jota ahead of him, but he turns into trouble and the defence recovers the situation.

We’re in for a fascinating final few minutes here.

82' Portugal 1-1 Czech Republic

Straight into the action for Petr Sevcik. The ball falls at his feet after a promising Czech attack, but Dias puts in an excellent block to fend off a dangerous moment.

The ball then falls at Soucek’s feet, but his tired shot drifts wide.

There are a few positive signs for Czech Republic though as we enter the final stretch.

79' Portugal 1-1 Czech Republic

Stanek shovels another one out for corner as Vitinha takes aim from range.

It’s a low effort but easy enough for the goalkeeper.

And that’s Provod done for the evening. Fiorentina’s Antonin Barak enters the fray.

Petr Sevcik is also on, in place of Sulc. That's four changes now from Ivan Hasek.

74' Portugal 1-1 Czech Republic

That’s a curious passage of the game, right there.

Ivan Hasek’s changes had the desired effect in sparking Czech Republic into life a bit, scoring a wonderful goal shortly after.

Martinez’s changes that could’ve come before — as Tim Spiers suggested — then arrived, although they had little to do with the equaliser.

Jota has since stung the hands of Stanek but in truth, the Czech keeper still owes his team-mates something at the moment.