Portugal make winning start after thrilling late winner

Portugal substitute Francisco Conceição scored in stoppage time for a 2-1 win over the Czech Republic in their European Championship opening game on Tuesday.

Conceição, who only made his entrance in the 90th minute, fired the ball home in the 92nd after Robin Hranac’s attempted block of fellow substitute Pedro Neto’s shot fell kindly for the Porto winger to shoot inside the left post.

Czech Republic goalkeeper Jindrich Stanek had thwarted Cristiano Ronaldo as the Portugal star became the first to play at six European Championship tournaments. The 39-year-old Ronaldo was unable to add to his record 14 goals in his record-extending 26th appearance at the tournament.

It came as a shock when Lukas Provod broke the deadlock at the other end with a fierce strike inside the far post after Vladimir Coufal laid the ball back in the 62nd minute.

Portugal drew level in the 70th when Stanek’s save of Nuno Mendes’ header rebounded off the luckless Hranac’s shin and in.

Hranac was also involved when Conceição scored the winner.

“It was very unlucky, but it was a fast terrain, very wet. These unlucky things can happen,” Czech coach Ivan Hasek said. “I have to thank my players for their hard work. Portugal was better, they deserved to win.”