Portugal salvage EURO 2024 win as Turkey cruise to victory

Portugal needed a stoppage-time winner to defeat a stubborn Czech Republic side in their opening match of EURO 2024 on Tuesday.

Despite being youthful and inexperienced, the Czechs defied the odds to grab the lead in the 62nd minute through Lukas Provod, although Robin Hranac levelled things with an own goal five minutes later.

Francisco Conceicao, however, spared Portugal’s blushes with an injury-time winner.

Although Cristiano Ronaldo was uncharacteristically quiet, the 39-year-old made history by becoming the only player to feature in six European Championships.

EURO 2024: MATCHDAY 2 PREVIEW & BETTING PICKS

Meanwhile, newcomers Georgia lost 3-1 to Turkey despite putting up a spirited fight.

Mert Muldur put Turkey ahead in the 25th minute with a spectacular volley before Georges Mikautadze equalised for Georgia seven minutes later.

Arda Guler, who won the Champions League with Real Madrid last season, added another before Kerem Akturkoglu rounded off Turkey’s victory, sending Vincenzo Montella’s side top of Group F by goal difference.

That sets the ground for a fiery supremacy battle on Saturday when Turkey face second-placed Portugal at the Signal Iduna Park, while Georgia will lock horns with Czech Republic in Hamburg.

Online bookmakers have the Portuguese (-181.82) and Czechs (-151.52) pegged as heavy favourites for those bouts.

Sports news