Portugal fought hard for a crucial 3 points.
In the 63rd minute, Lukas Provod received the ball just outside the penalty area. Wearing the number 14 jersey, he unleashed a stunning shot that rocketed towards the goal with an unstoppable trajectory. Diogo Costa made a valiant effort, diving with all his might, but couldn’t prevent the ball from finding the back of the net.
The opening goal came as a surprise to the Czech Republic. They played defensively from the start and needed just one shot on target to take the lead. Meanwhile, Portugal had 68% possession, shot 14 times but still failed to score.
After having the advantage, CH Zcech retreated deep into the formation to defend. Coach Hasek’s team played well but were not lucky. In the 69th minute, Nuno Mendes headed the ball but was blocked by the goalkeeper. The ball bounced off midfielder Hranec’s position and then bounced back into the net, helping Portugal equalize 1-1.
In the 87th minute, Ronaldo jumped high and headed the ball into the post. Jota was there to score the ball in the Czech Republic’s net. However, the goal was not recognized by VAR because of offside.
Portuguese fans don’t have to regret it for long. At minute 90+2, the second goal came for the representative of the Iberian peninsula. After the counter goal, midfielder Hranac had a clumsy defensive situation, creating conditions for Conceicao to comfortably shoot into the Czech Republic’s net from close range.
The match ended in a victory for Portugal. In the next round on June 22, Portugal will face Türkiye, while the Czech Republic will face Georgia.
Conceicao rescued Portugal in the 90+2 minute.
Conceicao rescued Portugal in the 90+2 minute.
The pace of the match was pushed up quite high after the opening whistle. Portugal pushed up their formation, holding the ball 68% of the time, but their attacking plan was too monotonous, with the ball mostly going to Ronaldo’s position.
On a day when his performance was not at the highest level, the striker born in 1985 squandered at least 2 good opportunities in the first half, notably the escape, facing goalkeeper Stanek in the 32nd minute. In the 39th minute, Ronaldo turned around. The left-footed shooter sent the ball quite wide. However, the goal still did not come to “Seleccao”.
Ronaldo missed a good opportunity.
While Ronaldo continuously squandered opportunities, Portugal’s remaining attacker, Rafael Leao, also played poorly. The only mark of the player born in 1999 in the first half was just a feigned fall and then receiving a red card.
After the break, Portugal’s style of play remained unchanged, with Ronaldo still being given too much of the ball. The Czech Republic’s defense focused on neutralizing all aerial efforts from the Al Nassr star.
Portugal attacked a lot but failed to score and had to pay the price with a loss after Provod’s superb long-range shot. At difficult times, Portugal changed its way of attack. Positions on the field are more confident in breakthrough and finishing situations. However, coach Roberto Martinez’s team had to rely on a lucky play to equalize.
In the last minutes, coach Martinez threw all the cards on the bench onto the field with the goal of finding more goals. The duo Pedro Neto and Conceicao did not disappoint the coaching staff’s expectations by helping Portugal set the score 2-1 in injury time.
Portugal’s tactical diagram against the Czech Republic.
