Portugal start with a scratchy win

At Leipzig, obviously, Cristiano Ronaldo hogged the limelight. He was playing with a bunch of players who idolised him and grew up watching him in action. Ronaldo, the inspiration of Portugal and many other nations – looked excited for another mission hinting that age is just a number and a person should never stop until and unless his dream is fulfilled.

It was evident that The Czech Republic would unleash a stubborn backline against the boys of Roberto Martinez. The stubborn backline tested the master – Ronaldo’s physical dominance was not there anymore when the defenders tried to squeeze the juice out of his body, the finishing touches lacked conviction and the free-kicks lacked venom.

But, hey, the man is Cristiano Ronaldo – still, he sprinted around the corner and kept the boys alive throughout the match on a rainy night in Leipzig.  

The rest of the team grew around him.

The Czech Republic took the lead after an hour of play via a Turkish and Romanian stunner but the spirit of Portugal was never down.

The boys pressed. Started throwing more bodies forward. Dominated the flanks. The Czechs came under pressure. Robin Hranac’s own goal had given Portugal a route back into the game.

The character of the boys led by Ronaldo came into the display as time ran out.

 In the stoppage time, Pedro Neto stole the ball on the left wing and romped into the box. He crossed low, dangerously so. Hranac attempted to intercept but slipped and could only tee up Francisco Conceiçao, making his competitive debut and only just on, six yards out. The 21-year-old scored and followed the footsteps of his father who scored a hat-trick against Germany 24 years ago.

Conceiçao and Pedro Neto – both came on in the 90th minute and combined to score in the 91st. Along with the pair of Nuno Mendes and Vitinha – these young boys are the future of Portugal along with experienced and tested players like Bruno Fernandes, Diogo Jota and Rafael Leao.

Roberto Martínez has now been bequeathed a new galaxy of bright and brilliant things – he would not want this group of las to end up like the Golden Generation of Belgium.  

Note: Excerpts from the The Guardian

Thank You

Faisal Caesar