Francisco Conceição comes off Portugal bench to break Czech Republic hearts
A night of mayhem and confusion, of futures and pasts dragging each other in different directions, and at its climax a goal of pure catharsis for the Group F favourites. Portugal, one of the tournament favourites, are away: a poacher’s goal by the 21-year-old Francisco Conceição sealing victory in the first minute of injury time after coming off the bench.
It was tough on the Czech Republic, so close to what would have been a heroic point until a stout defence calamitously gave way at the last. Robin Hranac’s own goal had given Portugal a route back into the game, and now as Pedro Neto crossed, his feet got stuck the loose ball bouncing perfectly for Conceição to finish.
