Portugal is seen as a strong contender for the trophy in Germany, while the Czech Republic will aim to advance from a group that also includes Turkey and Georgia. Portugal, who famously won Euro 2016, have reached the semi-finals three times but were knocked out in the last-16 stage of Euro 2020.
After reaching the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup, Roberto Martinez took over as Portugal’s coach, and the team has shown promising signs under his leadership.
While France, England, and Germany are considered the top favorites to win Euro 2024, Portugal is also expected to be a strong competitor due to their talented and experienced squad.
Portugal comes into their Group F opener after a 3-0 win over the Republic of Ireland in an international friendly, with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring twice. Despite losing two of their last four matches, Portugal is favored to top their group, which includes Turkey and Georgia, with at least two and possibly three teams progressing to the next round.
Martinez's team will face Turkey on June 22 in their second Group F match, and finish the group stage against Georgia on June 26, with the knockout rounds starting soon after.
The Czech Republic, meanwhile, will enter this match following a 2-1 victory over North Macedonia in their final warm-up game on June 10. Ivan Hasek's team is on a five-match winning streak, including their last Euro 2024 qualifier against Moldova and friendly wins over Norway, Armenia, Malta, and North Macedonia.
Historically, the Czech Republic was the runner-up at Euro 1996, made the semi-finals in 2004, and reached the quarter-finals in two of the last three tournaments, including Euro 2020. Winners as Czechoslovakia in 1976, they had a solid qualification campaign for Euro 2024, earning 15 points from eight matches and finishing ahead of Poland in Group E.
However, the Czech Republic has lost four of their last five matches against Portugal, including a 4-0 defeat in their most recent meeting in the UEFA Nations League in September 2022.
INJURIES & SUSPENSION
Portugal's head coach, Roberto Martinez, faces some tough choices for his team selection on Tuesday due to the squad's depth. Despite the strong bench, 39-year-old Ronaldo is set to lead the attack, aiming to add to his 130 international goals. Ronaldo is on the verge of making history by participating in his sixth European Championship and could become the oldest player to score in the tournament.Pepe, at 41 years and 113 days, is expected to start in defense, potentially becoming the oldest player in the competition's history. He will likely be paired with Ruben Dias, leaving promising talents Antonio Silva and Goncalo Inacio on the bench, highlighting the squad's depth.
In the forward line, Rafael Leao and Bernardo Silva might join Ronaldo, with Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha, and Joao Palhinha set to control the midfield. Joao Neves, linked with a summer move to Manchester United, is expected to start on the bench but may see action in the second half. Diogo Jota is another key player who could begin on the bench, showing the range of options available to Martinez.
For the Czech Republic, midfielder Michal Sadilek had to withdraw from the squad due to a biking injury. West Ham United’s Vladimir Coufal and Tomas Soucek will start, with Jan Kutcha likely featuring in the attack. Patrik Schick, the team’s top scorer with 19 goals, will lead the line, looking to add to his five European Championship goals. Adam Hlozek, with two international goals, is another potential option up front.
Jindrich Stanek will be the starting goalkeeper, and the back three will probably consist of Tomas Holes, Robin Hranac, and Ladislav Krejci.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Portugal possible starting lineup:Costa; Cancelo, Pepe, Dias, Mendes; Palhinha, Vitinha, Fernandes; Leao, Ronaldo, Bernardo
Czech Republic possible starting lineup:
Stanek; Holes, Hranac, Krejci; Coufal, Soucek, Provod, Barak, Jurasek; Kuchta, Schick
EXPERT PREDICTION
Portugal 2-1 Czech Republic
The Czech Republic has been in excellent form recently and could pose a real challenge for Portugal. However, Martinez's team boasts superior talent across the board. We expect the Iberian nation to kick off their campaign with a victory.
