FRANCISCO Conceicao converted an injury-time winner as Portugal escaped with a 2-1 victory over Czechia in the Euro 2024 on Tuesday night (Wednesday morning in Manila) at the Leipzig Stadium in Germany.
Conceicao, who was subbed in with five minutes left in the game, linked up with Pedro Neto to score the game-winner in the 90+2 minute of the contest to collect the full three points for Portugal.
“Francisco is the ultimate example of earning it. He deserves to be here and showed he is ready to help the group,” said Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez after the game.
“Francisco is doing what he’s been doing for the past four months on his club team. This is not easy. He showed character and showed his worth because he was allowed to be here,” he added.
Both teams struggled to find their shots in the opening half until Czechia took the lead in the 62nd minute courtesy of Lukas Provod’s connection from outside the penalty area.
Provod’s teammate Robin Hramac, however, committed a costly own-goal error seven minutes later, allowing Portugal to tie the score at 1-1.
Portugal had a chance to take the lead in the 88th minute following a conversion by Diogo Jota, but his goal kick was later ruled an offside by the referees.
Meanwhile, Turkey secured a 3-1 victory over Georgia to kick off their campaign at the BVB Stadion Dortmund in Dortmund, Germany.
Mert Mulder drew first blood for Turkey with his 25th-minute conversion, but Georgia responded with an equalizer from Georges Mikautadze seven minutes later.
Turkey reclaimed the lead in the second half as Arda Guler knocked down a goal past the defense in the 62nd minute before Kerem Akturkoglu sealed the win with an injury-time connection./PN
