Substitute Francisco Conceicao netted a decisive goal in the 92nd minute, leading Portugal, captained by Cristiano Ronaldo, to a 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic in their opening match of Euro 2024 on Tuesday. The 21-year-old Porto winger seized an opportunity from close range after the Czech defense failed to clear a cross, sealing his team's recovery. The Czechs had taken an early lead through Lukas Provod's superb shot from outside the box after 60 minutes. Portugal, though not at their best, managed to secure the win with Robin Hranac's own goal equalizing before Conceicao's late heroics. Ronaldo, 39, making his sixth European Championship appearance, was thwarted by goalkeeper Stanek thrice as Portugal persistently sought to feed their leading scorer. The forward struck the post with the game tied, and Diogo Jota headed in the rebound, but it was disallowed due to Ronaldo's offside position. Coach Roberto Martinez fielded 41-year-old defender Pepe, the oldest player in Euros history, surpassing Hungary's Gabor Kiraly's record at 40 in 2016, as part of a three-man defensive line. Portugal, winners of the 2016 tournament, aim for another trophy despite a shaky start in Germany. In his first competitive match since January, Czech coach Ivan Hasek largely stymied Martinez's high-scoring, unbeaten qualifying side. Ronaldo missed an early chance with his shoulder after a threatening move by Rafael Leao, as Portugal dominated possession. Bruno Fernandes' deflected shot excited the crowd, and Leao narrowly missed connecting with a low cross from the Manchester United midfielder. Czech goalkeeper Stanek twice stopped Ronaldo, but both times the striker was marginally offside. Ronaldo's best moment came with a deft backheel to Vitinha, but the defense quickly smothered the shot. Questions about Ronaldo's starting role since the 2022 World Cup resurfaced, as Portugal sometimes seemed reliant on crosses to him. Stanek easily handled a long-range Ronaldo free-kick before the Czechs scored. Provod curled a brilliant shot past Diogo Costa from the edge of the box after Portugal's incomplete clearance. Portugal equalized quickly when Hranac inadvertently directed the ball into his own net after Stanek's deflection of Nuno Mendes' header. Neither Ronaldo nor Czech striker Patrik Schick, joint top scorers at Euro 2020 with five goals each, were at their sharpest in Leipzig. Jota believed he scored a late winner after Ronaldo's header rebounded off the post, but VAR confirmed Ronaldo's offside. Conceicao's introduction proved crucial, securing three points and placing Portugal level with Turkey at the top of Group F.