Cristiano Ronaldo leads Portugal against Czech Republic at Euro 2024 in the final game of the first round of group fixtures in Germany.
Roberto Martinez’s unexpected decision over Ronaldo has seen the Selecao bolster their credentials as one of the competition’s favourites. The Portuguese have one of the most talented squads at the tournament, with a balance of experience – brought by players such as Ronaldo, Pepe, Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva – mixing with the exciting talent of youngsters including Goncalo Inacio, Rafael Leao and Joao Neves.
Though they won Euro 2016, the Selecao are looking to add to their disappointingly empty trophy cabinet, having notably lost on home soil to Greece in the final of 2004.
The Czech Republic enter the tournament with little expectation despite a strong showing at Euro 2020, where Patrik Schick finished as joint-top scorer as they went out to Denmark in the quarter-finals. They’ll be hoping for a similarly strong performance this time round, with the added experience of players such as Tomas Soucek and Adam Hlozek potentially vital.
Follow all the latest news and match action in our live blog below, as well as the reaction to the day’s other games:
Euro 2024: Portugal 0-0 Czech Republic
Portugal are winning possession back easily in the opening stages. The Czechs are dropping deeper by the minute.
Silva and Fernandes try a cross and a through ball in quick succession, but neither were troubling the Czech defence.
Chris Wilson18 June 2024 20:14
Euro 2024: Portugal 0-0 Czech Republic
Lovely play from Leao as he easily skips past Coufal, but nobody can get on the end of his ball as he squares it across goal.
Chris Wilson18 June 2024 20:13
Euro 2024: Portugal 0-0 Czech Republic
The Czechs launch a counter and Provod initially does well to get away from Pepe before losing it for a goal kick.
Moments later, Ronaldo thinks he’s won a free-kick on the edge of the box but he’s gone down too easily.
Chris Wilson18 June 2024 20:12
Euro 2024: Portugal 0-0 Czech Republic
First half-chance for Ronaldo as Leao collect the ball on the left, and his cross is pinpoint enough but Ronaldo miscues his header.
Chris Wilson18 June 2024 20:10
Euro 2024: Portugal 0-0 Czech Republic
First corner of the match as Coufal sweeps the through ball out. Vitinha delivers the in-swinging ball, but it’s cleared.
The Czech Republic enjoy some possession in the Portugal half but they can’t fashion a chance, eventually working it back to the centre-backs. Portugal aren’t pressing too high in the opening stages.
Chris Wilson18 June 2024 20:09
Euro 2024: Portugal 0-0 Czech Republic
Now Fernandes is guilty of a wayward ball into the box, as his cross is nowhere near a red shirt. Good work from Joao Cancelo to set him up though.
The Czechs go down the other end and Sulc makes some space for himself, but the shot is blocked.
Chris Wilson18 June 2024 20:05
Euro 2024: Portugal 0-0 Czech Republic
Fernandes slips it through to Silva, who’s bursting into the box, but his cross towards Ronaldo is wayward.
Chris Wilson18 June 2024 20:04
Euro 2024: Portugal 0-0 Czech Republic
Schick goes down near the box hoping for the early free-kick, but nothing doing. Coufal can’t reach it as the ball runs out of play.
Portugal have their first bit of sustained possession, knocking it around their half as the Czech Republic are happy to sit off.
Chris Wilson18 June 2024 20:04
KICK-OFF! Portugal 0-0 Czech Republic
KICK-OFF! Portugal get us underway in Leipzig, for the final fixture in the opening round of group games.
Chris Wilson18 June 2024 20:01
Portugal vs Czech Republic LIVE
The national anthems are finished and we’re moments from kick-off!
Can Portugal justify their place among the pre-tournament favourites?
Chris Wilson18 June 2024 19:59
