A goal in the second additional minute of Francisco Conceicao gave Portugal an agonizing victory in their debut in the Group F of the Euro Cup in view of Czech Republic. The replacement of Vitinha He became the Lusitanian hero who avoided the mess of the team led by the Spanish Roberto Martinezbut the day at the Leipzig Stadium was marked by the production of Cristiano Ronaldo.
The legendary striker with a past in Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventusamong other teams, became the first player to participate in six editions of the most coveted competition in the world. Old continent and his presence did not go unnoticed. It is that the forward of 39 yearswhose first international tournament was in the Euro 2004 that was played in his country and lost the final against Greecereturned to the global level to face his Last Dance.
Owner of the records for most goals (14) and matches played (25) in the continental championship, the Bug He enjoyed his best days when champion in the 2016 edition, when the Portuguese managed to defeat France in the decisive match. And how Portugal He arrived as a serious candidate for the crown in Germanycould not have a disappointing debut.
The captain had a bittersweet encounter, since he could not break the resistance of Jindrich Stanek. As the dispute began with absolute domination of the Portuguese, desperation set in when Lukas Provod surprised with a great shot from outside the area that hit the far corner of Diogo Costa.
They were moments of tension until the Czech goalkeeper starred in a blooper when rejecting a headbutt from Nuno Mendes that bounced off his partner Robin Hranac and went into the back of the net to seal the 1 to 1. Therefore, when the duel was in injury time, Conceicao sentenced Portugal’s victory and Cristiano Ronaldo himself unloaded all his anger with a controversial gesture against Stanek and he yelled at him Petr Sevcik in his crazy run.
CR7 He got in tune for this edition with a message that he had published on his social networks before its premiere. “Today begins another chapter of our history“, he wrote in his account X (ex Twitter). “I fondly remember my first day with the national team, a journey full of challenges and victories”he added.
“Now I have the honor of being alongside a team of champions, full of talent and determination”described the legend. And she closed with some words that fueled the illusion: “With the strength and support of everyone we turn dreams into reality. Let’s fight together for another victory. United we are unstoppable. Strength Portugal!”. Despite the suffering, logic remained on the side of the most powerful. And those of Roberto Martinez They overcame a difficult obstacle to nourish the hope of forging a new feat.
