Portugal: Cristiano Ronaldo shown up by understudies in late Euro 2024 show
On the evidence of last night, Cristiano Ronaldo may have to get used to not being centre stage.
Portugal did not lay down a marker with their 2-1 win, but it was a reminder to their rivals at this Euros of their incredible strength in depth.
On a quiet night for Ronaldo, whose best moment came when he struck the post with a header, it was those around him that rose to the occasion.
As soon as Lukas Provod put the Czech Republic ahead with just under half an hour to go, Portugal boss Roberto Martinez turned to his bench. On came Diogo Jota and Goncalo Inacio, and within seven minutes Portugal were level, thanks to an own-goal by Robin Hranac.
Not content with that, Portugal kept pushing. Jota thought he had scored a winner, only for VAR to intervene and judge him offside, so instead it was left to another substitute to save the day.
Francisco Conceicao had barely been on the pitch for a minute when he fired home the winner in injury time after latching onto a cross from fellow substitute Pedro Neto.
It was a ruthless example of Portugal’s enviable depth and the attacking weapons Martinez has at his disposal.
Few sides can boast the luxury of bringing on Conceicao, Jota and Neto to chase a game. Even less could do so while overlooking quality players such as Joao Felix and Goncalo Ramos, who were unused substitutes.
“Francisco has an energy that captivates, everyone knows his qualities,” said midfielder Bruno Fernandes. “But we have several players who can spread fires.”
Much of Portugal’s build-up to this Euros has focused on Ronaldo, but it is clear that if they are to go all the way this summer then the support cast is arguably more important.
They make Portugal a hard team to predict and it will be interesting to see how much Martinez changes his side for Saturday’s game against Turkey, who sit top of Group F.
Crucially, though, Portugal’s glittering support cast makes it easy for Martinez to adapt and change things during matches, as was the case last night.
If the attack is not working, Martinez can swap them all out for players of equal quality and back them to find a way. And that is why Portugal’s rivals will have taken notice of this performance.
It was not a display to strike fear into them, but it was one that reinforced how few can match the squad depth they possess.
