Despite all the pre-match focus on Cristiano Ronaldo’s record-breaking sixth Euros appearance, it was a teenage sensation who emerged as Portugal’s hero in their opening Group F match against the Czech Republic.
Leipzig was awash with “Ronaldo 7” jerseys, fans anticipating a goal from the veteran forward.
However, it was 18-year-old Francisco Conceicao, a mere shadow of Ronaldo’s age, who delivered the dramatic winner in Portugal’s 2-1 victory.
Making his competitive debut, Conceicao practically touched the ball for the first time just before scoring. Former England striker Alan Shearer lauded his impact: “He’s sent on to change the game, and he did exactly that.”
“What a story!” echoed ex-Liverpool player Danny Murphy. “He might have gotten a bit lucky with the deflection, but he wasn’t going to miss that chance.”
The memorable moment wasn’t lost on Conceicao, son of former Portugal player Sergio. He celebrated with a jubilant Ronaldo, who punched the air and shared high-fives with his teammates.
Portugal manager Roberto Martinez emphasized Conceicao’s well-deserved win: “He’s the perfect example of earning it.
He deserves to be here and proved he’s ready to contribute. He showed character and worth by making the most of his opportunity.”
