Portugal, led by the legendary Cristiano Ronaldo, began their Euro 2024 journey with a match against the Czech Republic on June 18 at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig. Ronaldo, at 39 years old, broke the record by participating in his sixth European Championship, a testament to his enduring class and influence on the sport. The Czech team, not to be underestimated, presented a challenge with Patrik Schick, a formidable striker from Bayer Leverkusen, leading their line. Group F’s opening round also featured a match between Turkey and Georgia, showcasing the talents of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and young prodigy Arda Güler. Portugal’s coach Roberto Martinez prepared a team lauded for its strong talent production and chemistry, making them a formidable force in the quest for the championship title . Ronaldo, alongside veteran defender Pepe, aimed to lead Portugal to victory and add another European Championship to their 2016 success . Despite some critics labeling Ronaldo as the ‘weak link’ due to his age, the Portuguese squad remained focused on their goal of winning, with their eyes set on replicating their perfect qualifying record .
Key points
- Cristiano Ronaldo made history by participating in his sixth European Championship as Portugal faced the Czech Republic.
- Portugal is considered a strong contender for Euro 2024, with a squad known for talent and teamwork.
- The Czech Republic’s Patrik Schick and Portugal’s Ronaldo are key players to watch in Group F.
