FRANCISCO CONCEICAO struck in stoppage-time to stop Portugal suffering a reality Czech.
Just when it seemed Cristiano Ronaldo and co were going to be given the cold shoulder in their opening game, substitute Conceicao scored from close range to spark delirium in rain-lashed Leipzig.
8Francisco Conceicao scored a dramatic winner for Portugal
8The 21-year-old netted just a few minutes after coming off the bench
8Portugal dominated possession and had the most shots by far
Just moments earlier, the top of Ronaldo’s arm had been adjudged offside as he headed against the post before Diogo Jota nodded in the rebound.
But in the end Portugal were not to be denied.
And so Ronaldo’s sixth Euros began with the reverse of the scoreline in the opening game of his first.
It was 20 years ago that he made his major tournament debut at Euro 2004.And although the then teenager grabbed his first international goal, hosts Portugal lost 2-1 to Greece.
A few weeks later, they suffered even worse agony when the same opponents beat them in the final.
And Czechia were heading for a similar smash and grab raid when Lukas Provod gave them the lead with their first meaningful shot.
An unfortunate Robin Hranac own goal soon brought Portugal level but Ivan Hasek’s side came agonisingly close to denying them victory.
8Lukas Provod fired Czech Republic ahead with a fantastic strike
8Robin Hranac scored an own goal to cancel out Czech Republic’s opener