Ronaldo’s Portugal scrape Euro 2024 opening win, Turkey beat Georgia

By Daily Sports Nigeria on June 19, 2024

Cristiano Ronaldo’s 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’s other clash, Turkey bested Georgia 3-1 in a pulsating match in Dortmund.

Roberto Martinez’s Portugal qualified at a canter with a 100 per cent record, but only just scraped victory in Leipzig in their first match, under driving rain.

Ronaldo played at a record-extending sixth European Championship and 41-year-old defender Pepe became the tournament’s oldest ever player for the Selecao.

The Czechs went ahead against the run of play through Lukas Provod’s fine strike from the edge of the box after the hour mark, but Robin Hranac’s own goal soon pulled Portugal level before Conceicao’s winner.

“We 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,” said Portugal midfielder Vitinha, awarded player of the match.

“We wanted to come out strong, show our strength and unfortunately we conceded the goal first, on the Czech Republic’s first opportunity.

“We showed all our coolness and resilience.”

Portugal supporters chanted Ronaldo’s name and imitated his “Suuuui” celebration shout as they marched to the game waving flags and in high spirits despite a brief but intense thunderstorm.

Around 8,000 fans attended Portugal’s open training session on Saturday, many of whom were hoping for a glimpse of the 39-year-old former Real Madrid striker.

Thousands 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.

Ronaldo was thrice denied by goalkeeper Jindrich Stanek on a record Euros appearance and headed against the post, but was offside.

Diogo Jota put the rebound into the net but the goal was disallowed after VAR highlighted Al Nassr striker Ronaldo’s infringement.

It did not matter for Portugal in the end as 21-year-old Porto winger Conceicao struck from close range.

“We have a great team spirit, we will fight until the end and Portugal will be alive until the end,” said defender Mendes.

The Czechs were left agonising after battling so hard and almost claiming a point.

“It hurts terribly when you work like this for 90 minutes, you give everything and you lose in the end,” said Czech goalscorer Provod.

“Our defenders played an incredible game. We just needed a bit more luck.”

Turkey turn-out

A well-supported Turkey started the Euros in entertaining fashion with an end-to-end win over debutants Georgia.

Real Madrid playmaker Arda Guler scored a brilliant goal, along with strikes by Mert Muldur and Kerem Akturkoglu, to delight the masses of Turkish supporters.

Source Punch Ng

Posted June 19, 2024


 

You may also like...
Olowu vows to return stronger after KO loss...

Kevin de Bruyne: Man City midfielder suffers knee...

Man United Agree Deal To Re-Sign Ronaldo From...

Caf Champions: MFM hold AS Real Bamako

Mbappe Issues PSG Ultimatum at Ligue 1 Awards...

Euro 2020: Ukraine Beat North Macedonia To Boost...

 

Latest News 'I thought Trump was going to exit stage - but he wanted to stay' Man Utd fan admits slapping Jack Grealish at derby Modric completes AC Milan move on one-year deal Newcastle explore record deal for Frankfurt's Ekitike Ardova HPL: Ekiti Queens’ skipper blames team woes on inexperience Two Nigerian fencers for World Fencing Championships Falcons lead Nigerian sports tributes to Buhari Ngerem condemns National Sports Commission structure Basketball: Canada rip Nigeria at U-19 Women’s World Cup Ex-Super Eagles defender Kadiri Ikhana critically ill Forest consider legal action against Spurs over Gibbs-White Liverpool to honour Diogo Jota in return to action at Preston

 

Most Read Rangers International going, going . . . (55,577 views) Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (46,744 views) Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (44,749 views) Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (44,344 views) Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (44,344 views) Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (44,329 views) Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (44,135 views) NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (43,686 views) Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (42,788 views) Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (41,406 views) Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (39,844 views) John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (39,270 views)

 

Phone numbers

Tel: +234(0)8066020976
+234(0)8055068145
+234(0)7013416146
+234(0)8094272884

Email addresses

info@dailysportsng.com
support@dailysportsng.com
publisher@dailysportsng.com

Office address

No 3, Adetoun Close, Off College Road, Ogba, Ikeja Lagos.
Website: www.dailysportsng.com

Social Media