Roberto Martinez praises Portugal’s discipline after last-gasp win over Czechs
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Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo celebrating with substitute Francisco Conceicao, who scored a stoppage-time winner to help them beat the Czech Republic 2-1.
PHOTO: AFP
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LEIPZIG – Portugal left it late but managed to snatch a 2-1 comeback victory over the Czech Republic in their Euro 2024 opener on June 18, and Roberto Martinez was full of praise for his side’s discipline, even after falling behind.
The Czechs went in front against the run of play but Portugal kept their heads and, thanks to an own goal and an added-time strike from substitute Francisco Conceicao, managed to take all three points from the Group F match.
They are level in the group with Turkey, who beat Georgia 3-1 in the earlier match.
“Today we showed heart, but also a lot of discipline. We played and controlled the game and we didn’t let Czechia use the goal they scored (via Lukas Provod) and this is the most important thing,” coach Martinez said.
“Today we showed the strength of all 23 players and the goalkeepers who are here, and I need to thank our fans, the atmosphere they created helped us win this game.”
Portugal fell behind in two of their friendlies in 2024, and went on to lose both games, but against the Czechs they found a way to recover and grab the win when it mattered most.
Cristiano Ronaldo was as ever the focus of attention, but the 39-year-old Portugal captain endured a frustrating night in Leipzig. He will have to wait to become the European Championship’s oldest scorer to add to his collection of records.
With the superstar forward not firing, it was Provod who put the Czechs ahead in the 62nd minute.
Robin Hranac’s own goal quickly levelled things seven minutes later, before Conceicao – who was brought on in the 90th minute – struck the winning goal almost immediately after coming on.
Martinez hopes the character that his Portugal side displayed will make a “scary” collection of stars even harder to stop over the next month.
“Things were tough for us today, but the way the team reacted, it is great for a coach to have a group of players as resilient and scary as they are,” he added.
The 50-year-old former Belgium boss also reserved special praise for 21-year-old winger Conceicao, the son of former Portugal international Sergio Conceicao.
“Francisco is the ultimate example of earning it, he deserves to be here and he showed he’s ready to help the group,” the Spaniard said.
“A very natural player, he’s got a nose for danger in the box. He showed character and worth, and having a player that showed what he showed, it’s very important.” REUTERS, AFP
