MX23RW : Monday, June 24 16:25:01| >> :120:13448:13448:
[monks data]
Portugal national football team
European Championship | Group Stage
Jun 18, 2024 at 8pm UK
Red Bull Arena
Czech Republic national football team

Portugal
2 - 1
Czech Republic

Hranac (69' og.), Conceicao (90+2')
Leao (39'), Conceicao (90+3')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Provod (62')
Schick (57')

Pepe, Cristiano Ronaldo create history in Portugal's dramatic Euro 2024 win

History made: Portugal duo break records in last-gasp win over Czech Republic
© Reuters
Pepe and Cristiano Ronaldo both make history in Portugal's opening Euro 2024 fixture against the Czech Republic on Tuesday night.

Pepe and Cristiano Ronaldo both made history in Portugal's opening Euro 2024 fixture on Tuesday night.

Ronaldo is chasing a number of European Championship records this summer, and he broke one of those against the Czech Republic, having now featured in sixth European Championship finals.

The Al-Nassr forward had been level on five appearances with Spain legend Iker Casillas, but he has now moved out on his own, having featured against the Czech Republic.

The 39-year-old, who played the full 90 minutes of his side's 2-1 win, has a number of other records to pursue at the tournament, including oldest player to score and most Golden Boot wins at the competition.

Ronaldo was also seemingly in line to become the oldest outfield player to take to the field at a European Championship, but his teammate Pepe has become the oldest player to feature in the tournament, having also been named in the starting side for Portugal's Euro 2024 opener.

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo reacts on June 18, 2024© Reuters

Pepe, Ronaldo make history at Euro 2024

Indeed, Pepe featured against the Czech Republic at the age of 41 years and 113 days old, breaking the record which had been held by Gabor Kiraly, who was 40 years and 86 days old when he turned out for Hungary against Belgium in the last-16 stage of Euro 2016.

Before Pepe and Ronaldo, the oldest outfield player to feature in the competition was German legend Lothar Matthaus, who was 39 years and 91 days old on his last appearance at Euro 2020.

There had been question marks over the futures of both Pepe and Ronaldo following the 2022 World Cup, but Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez immediately made it clear that the duo were still key players.

Pepe entered Euro 2024 off the back of making 35 appearances for Porto last season, while Ronaldo scored 44 goals and registered 13 assists in 46 appearances for Al-Nassr last term.

Martinez named a back three against the Czech Republic, with Pepe operating alongside Ruben Dias and Nuno Mendes, while Ronaldo was joined by Rafael Leao and Bernardo Silva in the final third of the field.

Portugal's Francisco Conceicao celebrates scoring their second goal with teammates on June 18, 2024© Reuters

Portugal are seen as among the favourites for Euro 2024

Francisco Conceicao scored a last-gasp winner to hand Portugal all three points in their Group F opener, with the Czech Republic proving to be difficult opposition on Tuesday.

Portugal midfielder Bruno Fernandes also explained the importance of having Ronaldo and Pepe in the squad, as the national side bid to win a second European Championship title this summer.

"We all know it is important to have experienced players by our side," Fernandes told reporters after the match.

"Him and Pepe are probably the most experienced players in this tournament, not only in our team. We know they are big value for us and we know they are going to help us through the tournament."

As it stands, Jens Lehmann is the oldest player to feature in the final of a European Championship, with the former goalkeeper 38 years and 232 days old when he represented Germany against Spain at Euro 2008.

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Game History

How you voted: Portugal vs Czech Republic

Portugal
84.6%
Draw
9.4%
Czech Republic
6.0%
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Portugal's Francisco Conceicao celebrates scoring their second goal with teammates on June 18, 2024
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Euro 2024 fixtures header
Monday, June 24
 
8pm
 
8pm
Tuesday, June 25
 
5pm
 
8pm
 
8pm
Wednesday, June 26
 
5pm
 
5pm
 
8pm
 
8pm
Saturday, June 29
 
8pm
Sunday, June 30
Monday, July 1
Tuesday, July 2
Friday, July 5
Saturday, July 6
Tuesday, July 9
Wednesday, July 10
Sunday, July 14
Tables header RHS

Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Germany Germany32107
Q Switzerland Switzerland31205
3 Hungary Hungary31023
4 Scotland flag Scotland30121

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Spain Spain22006
2 Italy Italy21013
3 Albania national flag Albania20111
4 Croatia Croatia20111

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
1 England flag England21104
2 Denmark Denmark20202
3 Slovenia Slovenia20202
4 Serbia Serbia20111

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Netherlands Netherlands21104
2 France France21104
3 Austria Austria21013
4 Poland Poland20020

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Romania Romania21013
2 Belgium Belgium21013
3 Slovakia Slovakia21013
4 Ukraine Ukraine21013

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Portugal Portugal22006
2 Turkey Turkey21013
3 Czech Republic Czech Republic20111
4 Georgia Georgia20111


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