Sub-lime: Portugal's bench saves the day

LEIPZIG, Germany — Jose Mourinho had claimed that even Portugal's reserves would be contenders for Euro 2024, and it relied on that strength in depth to beat a stubborn Czech Republic 2-1 to get its Euro 2024 campaign off to a winning start.

Two substitutes combined for a 92nd-minute winner as Francisco Conceicao struck his first international goal from Pedro Neto's cross with his first touch of the ball.

Diogo Jota was another of those sent on by coach Roberto Martinez on Tuesday in Leipzig who also found the net, but his header was ruled out for offside against Cristiano Ronaldo.

"He deserves it. He always works with one eye in front of the goal, he sniffs out goals," Martinez said of the 21-year-old Conceicao. "He was the fireworks we needed today."

Portugal followed the path of England and France, as all three of the pre-tournament favorites got off to winning starts, albeit in unconvincing fashion.

Ronaldo was, as ever, the focus of attention, but the Portugal captain endured a frustrating night. He will have to wait to add to his collection records by becoming the European Championship's oldest goal scorer.

Martinez's decision to stick by him as the focal point of his attack may come under closer inspection as the tournament progresses.

Ronaldo was dropped for Portugal's final two matches at the 2022 World Cup and replaced by Goncalo Ramos.

This time, the Paris Saint-Germain striker Ramos never made it off the bench, along with Barcelona's Joao Felix, underscoring the wealth of attacking talent on offer to Martinez.

"We are a country of 10 million, but we have a huge amount of players in the (European) top-five leagues," said Martinez.

"That's a strength and a weakness. If you don't use it well, it can become 26 individuals trying to do their own thing."

'Ultimate example'

The Spaniard has plenty of experience of major tournament soccer.

He took Belgium's so-called golden generation to the World Cup semifinals and Euro quarters, but this is his first shot at glory with Portugal.

Many have questioned whether the former Everton manager is the right man to summon the best from such an abundance of talent.

The critics would have been ready to pounce, as Martinez waited until the 89th minute to introduce Conceicao and Neto as part of a late triple change.

But, on a night when 41-year-old Portugal defender Pepe scuppered 39-year-old Ronaldo's bid to become the oldest outfield player in Euros history, breaking the record set by Germany's Lothar Matthaus at Euro 2000, it was Portugal's new generation that got it out of trouble.

Twenty-four years on from when his father Sergio scored a hat-trick against Germany at Euro 2000, Conceicao enjoyed his breakthrough moment for his country on German soil.

Conceicao senior has also been his son's manager at Porto for the majority of the youngster's club career.

Martinez, though, said the winger had proved he was worthy of standing on his own two feet.

"He is the ultimate example of earning it. He showed he is ready," added Martinez.

"Francisco is a very mature player. He plays vertically and he's got a nose for danger in the box.

"For a national team coach, having a player like that is great."

Unlike England and France, who were 1-0 winners over Serbia and Austria, respectively, Portugal was forced to come from behind after Lukas Provod put the Czechs ahead against the run of play.

"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."

Highly fancied

The match was meant to be a walk in the park for the highly fancied Portuguese, who came into the tournament on the back of a flawless qualifying campaign in which they won all 10 matches, scoring 36 goals and conceding only twice.

But, as is so often the way in major tournaments, the script needed a hasty rewrite.

While Portugal dominated the ball, with 70 percent possession, 19 shots and 13 corners, the workmanlike Czechs proved to be an infuriating obstacle for Martinez's side.

Portugal set up camp in Czech territory early on, but it came up against some fierce resistance as Ivan Hasek's disciplined side kept it mostly at arm's length.

For all its possession, Portugal's chances were limited. Rafael Leao was the side's most creative outlet with his jinking runs down the left flank, although one theatrical dive earned him a first-half booking.

Record-breaker Ronaldo was predictably at the center of most of Portugal's attacks, though his largely ineffective display will do little to quell the debate about whether he should still be in the starting lineup.

He passed up Portugal's best chance of the first half when he was played through on goal by Bruno Fernandes, only to be thwarted by Jindrich Stanek. He had another shot beaten away by the keeper just before the break.

Had Ronaldo found the net he would have become the oldest scorer in the tournament's history, but it was not to be his night, and shortly after his header was deflected over after the restart, Portugal was hit with a hammer blow.

Out of nowhere, the Czechs worked the ball down the pitch and Vladimir Coufal fed Provod who curled a stunning finish beyond the reach of keeper Diogo Costa into the net.

The advantage, however, was short-lived as Portugal drew level with more than a little good fortune. A cross to the back post was headed towards goal by Nuno Mendes, but Stanek's save ricocheted off the knee of Robin Hranac into his own net.

Portugal thought it had snatched victory when Ronaldo headed against the post and substitute Jota was on hand to convert the rebound, but VAR swiftly ruled that Ronaldo was a fraction offside.

It did not matter, however, as Hranac made a mess of his attempted clearance and Conceicao nipped in to score 111 seconds after coming on.

"Obviously we are disappointed to concede a goal this late in the game but we need to keep our heads high," Hasek said. "We need to get better because this was not a perfect game for us."