Cristiano Ronaldo again etched his name in the record books as the Portugal striker became the first men's player to appear in six editions of the European Championship during Tuesday's match against Czech Republic.
Ronaldo, 39, has appeared in every tournament since making his bow at Euro 2004 – held in Portugal – where the hosts reached the final before losing to an unfancied Greece.
Portugal staged a comeback victory after the Czechs took the lead just past the hour through Lukas Provod. A Robin Hranac own goal pulled Portugal level on 69 minutes before substitute Francisco Conceicao grabbed the winner in injury time.
Czech goalkeeper Jindrich Stanek pulled off a string of saves to thwart the Portuguese – and Ronaldo in particular – who dominated the game with nearly three quarters of the ball possession.
“Another chapter in our history begins today,” Ronaldo wrote on X before the match. “I fondly remember my first day with the national team, a journey full of challenges and victories. Now I have the honor of being alongside a team of champions, full of talent and determination. With everyone’s strength and support, we’re turning dreams into reality. Together let’s fight for another triumph. United, we’re unstoppable.”
Ronaldo's longevity and performance earned praise from Czech coach Ivan Hasek after the match.
“It’s really incredible that at his age he is this dangerous and fruitful in every game. He really showed his qualities,” Hasek said. “Hats off to him, he’s one of the best of all time.”
Ronaldo was the joint-top scorer at Euro 2020 with five goals — the same as Czech forward Patrik Schick, who also played Tuesday. Ronaldo previously scored against the Czech Republic at the 2008 and 2012 editions of the tournament.
Altogether, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner has 130 goals in 208 games for Portugal since making his debut as an 18-year-old under Brazilian coach Luiz Felipe Scolari in August 2003.
Though part of the squad that lifted the trophy in 2016, Ronaldo was forced to watch the majority of the 1-0 win over hosts France from the bench after going off injured early in the final.
Portugal defender Pepe became the oldest player to appear at the Euros aged 41 years and 113 days. AFP
Ronaldo was not the only Portugal player to make history on the night.
Defender Pepe became the oldest player to feature at a European Championship age 41 years and 113 days, taking the record from the previous holder, Hungary goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly. Kiraly was 40 years and 86 days old when he played against Belgium in the round of 16 at Euro 2016.
It came just days after Spain's Lamine Yamal became the youngest player to feature at the tournament. The winger took to the field in Spain's 3-0 group win over Croatia age 16 years 338 days.
The Brazil-born Pepe was 24 when he made his Portugal debut in November 2007 when he was still a Real Madrid player. He has made 138 appearances for Portugal, scoring eight goals, receiving 25 yellow cards. His one red card came in Portugal’s opening game at the 2014 World Cup against Germany.
Pepe, who plays his club football with Portuguese giants Porto, has played in 20 games at five European Championships, a record only bettered by teammate Ronaldo.
Player ratings
PORTUGAL RATINGS: A spectator in the first half as the Czechs left him entirely untroubled. No chance for Provod’s goal - their only shot on target in the whole match. Reuters
A very quiet first half. Needed to show more intent going forward and responded with a positive start to the second period, getting forward more and hitting a curling shot. Was substituted just after the hour for his troubles. AP
A fair few sloppy passes from the 41-year-old - one almost letting Provod in on goal. Below-par performance from the veteran. AP
Quietly efficient as always. Produced a brilliant defensive header to snuff out danger from a superb Coufal cross. Good cross for a Ronaldo header. Vital last-ditch block in the box late in the game. AFP
Made some surging bursts forward. He gives his side something different with his very direct running through the middle. Beautiful ball to free Bernardo Silva in the box. EPA
Given a roaming brief to pop up all over the pitch. Great ball to free Fernandes, who put in a centre that Leao was inches from converting. His threat level stepped up markedly in the second half. Lovely ball into the danger zone that led to the own goal that drew Portugal level. AFP
His usual intelligent use of the ball, playing clever passes and seeing things others don't. Dipping shot just over the bar on 23 minutes. Beautiful threaded pass to set up a good chance for Ronaldo. Always probing for ways to hurt the opposition. AFP
Another who was given free rein to wander within a very fluid set-up. Must have covered every blade of grass. A very lively contribution: playing sharp passes, showing good movement and tackling back when required. Lovely square ball to tee up a Cancelo shot. AP
Hit a speculative long-range shot when he'd have been better passing the ball. Leapt well to win the header that led to the equaliser. AFP
A nearly night for the great man. Had plenty of chances but lacked his usual lethal touch - although bad luck played its part. Was marginally offside when he rose brilliantly at the back post to hit the upright with a driving header that Jota nodded home before it was chalked off. It summed up his night. He was not quite on his A game but he didn't get the breaks either. AFP
Great pressing to win the ball and create an early chance for Ronaldo. He will loom large in Coufal's nightmares. He beat the right-back almost at will but didn’t quite deliver enough end product. AP
SUBS: (On for Leao, 63’): Showed pace and willingness. Excellent poacher’s finish for what he thought was the winner – before the intervention of VAR. AFP
(On for Dalot, 63’): Not a huge effect on the proceedings. AFP
(On for Nuno Mendes, 90’): His contribution was short and sweet. His direct running and cross created the winner. EPA
(On for Vitinha, 90’): What an impact. Straight off the bench to score the winner; Nelson Semedo (on for Cancelo, 90'): N/A. AFP
Came out smartly to make a fantastic one-handed save to deny Ronaldo. Another good save from Ronaldo just before half time. Equal to everything until his terrible blunder to palm the ball against Hranac to cause the own goal for Portugal's equaliser. Should have caught the ball, despite the wet conditions. AP
Showed great positional sense to (ahem) dig his side out of several holes. Booked for catching Leao soon after the break. Did enough to prevent Ronaldo from getting a clear header on goal in the six-yard box. Stuck to his defensive duties manfully. EPA
An excellent performance marred by some late misfortune. Inexperienced but he showed plenty of savvy and composure. Stole the ball from Vitinha as he burst into the box. Sliding block to deny Bernardo Silva. Nothing he could do about the own goal. Slipped in the build-up to Neto’s winner. EPA
Made some alert interceptions. Showed good reading of the game. Excellent clearing header to deny Ronaldo a good opportunity. EPA
A mixed bag to say the least. Given the cold sweats by the raw pace of Leao, who provoked a severe case of the jitters in the West Ham man. He gave ball away frequently in defence but produced some excellent crosses going forward. A night he will want to forget overall, though. Reuters
Put in a solid, hardworking shift. Grafted his socks off before being replaced by Sevcik towards the end of the game. EPA
One of his side's brighter sparks. Made a good block as Cancelo shot from the edge of the box. Showed flashes of creativity as he tried to make things happen. Should have done better with a tired shot from outside the box. AFP
Made plenty of positive runs. Conjured a stunning strike for his side’s opener. EPA
Tried to inject pace on the left wing but didn’t get much change out of Dalot or Dias early on. Did well to track and close down Bernardo Silva at the edge of the Czech box. Great ball into the box just before the goal. Reuters
Pressed the Portuguese back line well. Gave the ball away carelessly to allow a Portugal attack. Didn’t offer a great deal threat up front. Replaced by Lingr on the hour. AP
Looked rusty. Hindered his side by giving the ball away cheaply too often. Wasteful when he hit a cross straight out for a goal kick in a good position. Gave a way a free kick in a dangerous spot on the edge of the area. AP
SUBS: (On for, Kutcha, 60’): Did well. Brought an injection of pace and energy. Good run in the build-up to the Czech opener. Really got stuck in and produced some good moments for his side. AFP
(On for Shtick, 61’): Another introduction who made a positive impact. In the mix in the build-up to the goal. Made some good runs forward. AFP
(On for Provod, 79’): Impressive substitution. Showed strength, belief and nous in possession. Battled well when his side needed an injection of confidence. Lovely dinked ball into the box late in the game. Getty Images
(On for Sulk, 80’): Did fairly well; Chory (for, Holes 93’): N/A.
AP