Portugal had major problems against the Czech Republic in the European Championship – not until extra time could substitute Francisco Conceicao secure the win for the Portuguese.
Star Cristiano Ronaldo simultaneously made history as the first to play in six European Championships.
It was a Portugal that dominated and controlled the majority of the play on the pitch in the pouring rain in Leipzig, but the Czech Republic defended valiantly and, among other things, managed to keep Ronaldo out of the goal protocol.
The 39-year-old superstar is also chasing another record – to become the oldest goal-scorer in a European Championship. And there were opportunities.
The first major goal chance for Ronaldo came in the 32nd minute, when the 39-year-old sprinted free in deep, but Czech goalkeeper Jindrich Stanek came out well and managed to avert the situation.
Just before the break, it was time again – but once again Stanek stood in the way of Ronaldo.
The teams went to the break at 0–0 – and when the goal finally came after more than an hour, it was the Czech Republic that surprisingly took the lead, through a shot from outside the penalty area by Lukas Provod.
However, it only took seven minutes for Portugal's equaliser to come. The 1–1 goal was a sorry story for Czech defender Robin Hranac, who steered the ball into his own goal.
It still looked like it would be a point for the Czech Republic – but in extra time, substitute Francisco Conceicao became the hero when he scored 2–1 and secured the win for Portugal.
Incidentally, it was not just Ronaldo who made history in the match. His teammate, centre-back Pepe, became, at 41 years and 113 days, the oldest player in a European Championship.
