Ahead of their clash at EURO 2024, Portugal faces the Czech Republic in what marks their 9th appearance at the tournament. Under the guidance of manager Roberto Martinez, Portugal aims to progress past the group stage, a feat they’ve achieved in all 8 previous participations. However, concerns loom among Portuguese fans following lackluster performances in recent Euros, finishing 3rd in their group in both 2016 and 2020, requiring playoff qualification to advance.
Despite these past struggles, Portugal arrives well-prepared after a flawless qualifying campaign, winning all 10 matches in Group J, scoring 36 goals and conceding only 2. Their group, seen as relatively weaker, features only Slovakia besides Portugal, ensuring a favorable pathway to the knockout stages.
Portugal’s first challenge at EURO 2024 comes against the Czech Republic. The last encounter between these teams in the UEFA Nations League 2022 saw Portugal dominate with a comprehensive 6-0 aggregate victory (2-0 and 4-0).
In contrast, the Czech Republic’s recent Euro campaigns have been less impressive, with 3 losses in their last 6 group stage matches, alongside 2 draws and 1 win. Managed by the experienced Ivan Hasek, the team has shown improvement, winning all 4 post-qualification matches and scoring 13 goals under his tenure.
Comparing the squads, manager Roberto Martinez boasts a wealth of talent across all positions, with the exception of the irreplaceable Cristiano Ronaldo. At 39, Ronaldo remains Portugal’s all-time top scorer with 130 goals, a record likely to extend further in this tournament. Should he score, Ronaldo will become the oldest player to score in Euro history, adding to his illustrious career achievements.
Another veteran poised to break records is Pepe, potentially becoming the oldest player ever to feature in a Euro match at 41 years and 113 days, should he be included. Likely starters alongside Ronaldo include Joao Palhinha, Bruno Fernandes, and Vitinha in midfield, supported by defensive stalwarts like Goncalo Inacio and Ruben Dias.
For the Czech Republic, the absence of Michal Sadilek due to injury is a setback, yet West Ham duo Vladimir Coufal and Tomas Soucek bring vital experience. Patrik Schick, of Bayer Leverkusen, shoulders the goal-scoring burden with 19 international goals in 38 appearances.
Projected Lineups:
Portugal: Costa; Cancelo, Inacio, Dias, Mendes; Palhinha, Vitinha, Fernandes; Leao, Ronaldo, Bernardo.
Czech Republic: Stanek; Holes, Hranac, Krejci; Coufal, Soucek, Provod, Barak, Jurasek; Kuchta, Schick.
Key Stats:
Portugal has won 7 of their last 10 competitive matches by 2 goals or more.
Prediction: Portugal 4-1 Czech Republic
