AFP, Germany :
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal beat the Czech Republic 2-1 to claim a Euro 2024 debut victory on Tuesday but they needed to come from behind with a 92nd-minute winner from youngster Francisco Conceicao.
Earlier in the section’s other clash, Turkey bested Georgia 3-1 in a pulsating match in Dortmund.
Roberto Martinez’s Portugal qualified at a canter with a 100 percent record, but only just scraped victory in Leipzig in their first match, under driving rain.
Ronaldo played at a record-extending sixth European Championship and 41-year- old defender Pepe became the tournament’s oldest ever player for the Selecao.
The Czechs went ahead against the run of play through Lukas Provod’s fine strike from the edge of the box after the hour mark, but Robin Hranac’s own goal soon pulled Portugal level before Conceicao’s winner.
Portugal supporters chanted Ronaldo’s name and imitated his “Suuuui” celebration shout as they marched to the game waving flags and in high spirits despite a brief but intense thunderstorm.
Around 8,000 fans attended Portugal’s open training session on Saturday, many of whom were just hoping for a glimpse of the 39-year-old former Real Madrid striker.
Thousands of fans sported replica Ronaldo shirts at the match but were unable to watch the all-time record Euros goalscorer find the net on a frustrating night against a solid Czech side.
Ronaldo was thrice denied by goalkeeper Jindrich Stanek on a record Euros appearance and headed against the post, but was offside.
Diogo Jota put the rebound into the net but the goal was disallowed after VAR highlighted Al Nassr striker Ronaldo’s infringement.
A well-supported Turkey started the Euros in entertaining fashion with an end-to-end win over debutants Georgia.
Real Madrid playmaker Arda Guler scored a brilliant goal, along with strikes by Mert Muldur and Kerem Akturkoglu, to delight the masses of Turkish supporters.