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Portugal vs Czech Republic live updates: Euro 2024 match team news, predictions and line-ups
Follow live coverage today as Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal begin their European Championship campaign against Czech Republic
Michael Bailey
June 18, 2024 at 5:00 PM GMT+1
Portugal vs Czech Republic live updates: Euro 2024 match team news, predictions and line-ups
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Luke Brown
10m ago
Luke Brown
Managing Editor, News
What you need to know about the Czech Republic
What you need to know about the Czech Republic
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Manager: Ivan Hasek
Captain: Tomas Soucek
Qualifying record: P8, W4, D3, L1, GF12, GA6
Euro 2020: Quarter-finals
Most caps in squad: Tomas Soucek (69)
Top scorer in squad: Patrik Schick (19)
Luke Brown
25m ago
Luke Brown
Managing Editor, News
What you need to know about Portugal
What you need to know about Portugal
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Manager: Roberto Martinez
Captain: Cristiano Ronaldo
Qualifying record: P10, W10, D0, L0, GF36, GA2
Euro 2020: Round of 16
Most caps in squad: Cristiano Ronaldo (206)
Top scorer in squad: Cristiano Ronaldo (128)
Luke Brown
40m ago
Luke Brown
Managing Editor, News
Which nations have won the European Championship?
Which nations have won the European Championship?
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Germany and Spain are the most successful nations in European Championship history with three titles apiece and are followed by holders Italy and France who have both won two.
Six nations follow them with one each, including Portugal.
3 titles: Spain (1964, 2008, 2012) & Germany (1972, 1980, 1996)
2 titles: Italy (1968, 2020) & France (1984, 2000)
1 title: Portugal (2016), Greece (2004), Denmark (1992), Netherlands (1988), Czech Republic (1976), Russia (1960)
Luke Brown
55m ago
Luke Brown
Managing Editor, News
Should the European Championship become a 32-team tournament?
Should the European Championship become a 32-team tournament?
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There are currently no continental major tournaments at international level that are made up of more than 24 teams. Copa America has just 16 while the European Championship and the Africa Cup of Nations both have 24.
But there is an argument that the Euros is ready to expand to bring it in line with the World Cup by also being a 32-team tournament.
This year, Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard will miss out as Norway failed to qualify, similarly Alexander Isak with Sweden. There is no place for 2016 semi-finalists Wales or 2004 winners Greece.
While they would probably not be contending for the trophy, none of those four teams would look out of place at this year’s tournament and the same can be said for several other European nations. So, maybe it is time for another expansion and one that would simplify qualification to the knockout stage as, like at the World Cup, the top two teams from every group progress while the bottom two are eliminated.
European football certainly has the breadth of quality to justify it and despite UEFA’s claims, it does feel only a matter of time before that decision is made.
1h ago
Ed Mackey
Live Reporter
How has the European Championship evolved in 64 years?
The European Championship has been played every four years since 1960, but the tournament looks much different now to how it did 64 years ago.
In 1960, 17 teams entered the competition but the finals were whittled down to just four teams: France, Yugoslavia, Soviet Union and Czechoslovakia.
And for 20 years, that is how it stayed until a decision was made to double the amount of competing teams to eight.
Following triumphs for West Germany (1980), France (1984), Netherlands (1988) and Denmark (1992), the field doubled again to 16.
And with the quality of European football continuing to improve at an exponential rate, the demand for a 24-team tournament grew and was finally passed a few months after the 2008 Championship.
This will be the fourth Euros played with 24 teams and, despite calls to increase to 32 teams, that is how it will stay for the foreseeable future after UEFA confirmed last year that ‘no change has been proposed for the UEFA EURO final tournament”.
Luke Brown
1h ago
Luke Brown
Managing Editor, News
How long does the group stage go on for?
How long does the group stage go on for?
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The 36 group-stage matches will take place across just under two weeks. There are 12 days between Germany’s curtain raiser against Scotland on Friday, June 14 and the final round of group-stage fixtures on Wednesday, June 26.
2h ago
Ed Mackey
Live Reporter
How do the groups look?
How do the groups look?
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The 24 teams have been split into six four-team groups and it is hard to argue against Group B looking like the toughest while Germany, England and Belgium have been handed seemingly easier draws.
Group A: Germany, Hungary, Scotland, Switzerland
Group B: Spain, Albania, Croatia, Italy
Group C: England, Denmark, Slovenia, Serbia
Group D: France, Austria, Netherlands, Poland
Group E: Belgium, Romania, Slovakia, Ukraine
Group F: Portugal, Turkey, Czech Republic, Georgia
Luke Brown
2h ago
Luke Brown
Managing Editor, News
What is Czech Republic’s weakness?
Keeping clean sheets.
Since 2022, the Czechs have only kept four clean sheets in 15 competitive matches, all of which came against Moldova and Faroe Islands.
Considering the quality of the opposition in the European Championship, they will need to get better at keeping things tight at the back if they want to progress to the knockout rounds.
Luke Brown
2h ago
Luke Brown
Managing Editor, News
Who is Czech Republic’s most important player?
Who is Czech Republic’s most important player?
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When Czech Republic needed to turn the ship after drawing and losing against Albania in the qualifiers, their captain stood tall by scoring the winner against Faroe Islands, the equaliser away to Poland, and the third in a 3-0 victory against Moldova that secured their place in Euro 2024.
Tomas Soucek’s late runs into the penalty area, set-piece threat and decisive goals are only one side of the coin. His defensive positioning and well-timed interceptions shield a relatively inexperienced defensive line too.
2h ago
Ahmed Walid
How do Czech Republic like to play their football?
How do Czech Republic like to play their football?
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Continuing with the common trend in Group F, the Czech Republic attack the wide areas using their wing-backs before trying to find their forwards in the box. They attempted the most crosses per game (27.1) in Euro 2024 qualifying.
Usually, Czech Republic play in a 3-4-1-2 or 3-4-3 in possession depending on the profiles of the front three, but they have also toyed with a back-four formation in a couple of games.
Regardless of the shape, attacking wide areas and putting crosses into the box is Czech Republic’s main focus.
3h ago
Ed Mackey
Live Reporter
Youthful, cohesive squad for the Czechs
Youthful, cohesive squad for the Czechs
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The Czech Republic have the youngest squad at the tournament, with the average age a green 25.3 years old. There are only two players 30 or older, 31-year-old defenders Tomas Holes and West Ham’s Vladimir Coufal.
As expected, they have the lowest mean caps, with 15.9, compared to second-lowest Italy’s 21.
Moreover, there is a strong domestic presence, as 15 of the 26-man squad play for either Slavia Prague, Sparta Prague or Viktoria Plzen.
3h ago
Ahmed Walid
So … what are Portugal’s weaknesses?
It is hard to spot any glaring issues in this team, but the quality of the opposition they have faced hasn’t been the highest. Since Roberto Martinez took over, Portugal’s competitive games have come against Slovakia, Luxembourg, Iceland, Bosnia and Liechtenstein in the qualifiers.
After losing to Slovenia and Croatia, more difficult opponents will be sterner tests during the European Championship.
3h ago
Ahmed Walid
Bruno Fernandes and his runs behind the defence
Bruno Fernandes and his runs behind the defence
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The midfielder’s precision allows him to find his team-mates when they are attacking space, while his off-ball movement in the final third complements that when he is on the other end of those passes.
The Manchester United man is so integral to Portugal’s chances this summer.
Luke Brown
3h ago
Luke Brown
Managing Editor, News
Bernardo Silva likely to be key to Portugal’s chances
Bernardo Silva likely to be key to Portugal’s chances
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It’s impossible to ignore Bernardo Silva’s talent and intelligence. Starting from the right wing, the Manchester City playmaker is the calming presence in Portugal’s attacking storm, waiting for the right moment to strike with a pass through the lines or a run in behind the defence.
Bernardo regularly roams inside the pitch to overload the midfield as the right-back provides the width, but his flexibility and understanding of the game mean that he will move across the pitch.
3h ago
Ed Mackey
Live Reporter
Record-breaking Cristiano Ronaldo
Interestingly, the second oldest player at the tournament after defender Pepe is his team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo – 39 years 4 months old – who you may have heard of.
If Ronaldo scores, he could become the oldest goalscorer in Euros history, surpassing Austria’s Ivica Vastic at 38 years, 257 days.
He is also set to extend his record of the most European Championship games (25) and the most Euro tournaments as a male player (this will be his sixth).
3h ago
Ahmed Walid
Who are Portugal’s key attacking players?
Who are Portugal’s key attacking players?
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Cristiano Ronaldo’s domination of the European Championship record books will continue when he features for the sixth time in the competition’s history, looking to score in his sixth consecutive tournament. Lothar Matthaus played in the last Euros that Ronaldo did not score in.
Ronaldo’s penalty-box presence and goalscoring prowess are hugely beneficial considering the creative talent around him.
Helping Ronaldo rack up the goals is Bruno Fernandes, who scored six times and provided seven assists in Portugal’s 10 qualifying matches. Fernandes’ skill set — his movement between the lines, vision, passing ability and threat on transitions — fits Martinez’s team like a glove, while his defensive work supports Palhinha when Portugal don’t have the ball.
Luke Brown
4h ago
Luke Brown
Managing Editor, News
Czech Republic’s record at European Championships
Czech Republic’s record at European Championships
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As Czech Republic:
2020 (Various): Quarter-finals
2016 (France): Group stage
2012 (Poland/Ukraine): Quarter-finals
2008 (Austria/Switzerland): Group stage
2004 (Portugal): Semi-finals
2000 (Belgium/Netherlands): Group stage
1996 (England): Runners-up
As Czechoslovakia:
1992 (Sweden): Did not qualify
1988 (Germany): Did not qualify
1984 (France): Did not qualify
1980 (Italy): Third place
1976 (Yugoslavia): Champions
1972 (Belgium): Did not qualify
1968 (Italy): Did not qualify
1964 (Spain): Did not qualify
1960 (France): Third place
Luke Brown
4h ago
Luke Brown
Managing Editor, News
Portugal’s record at European Championships
Portugal’s record at European Championships
Getty Images
2020 (Various): Round of 16
2016 (France): Champions
2012 (Poland/Ukraine): Semi-finals
2008 (Austria/Switzerland): Quarter-finals
2004 (Portugal): Runners-up
2000 (Belgium/Netherlands): Semi-finals
1996 (England): Quarter-finals
1992 (Sweden): Did not qualify
1988 (Germany): Did not qualify
1984 (France): Semi-finals
1980 (Italy): Did not qualify
1976 (Yugoslavia): Did not qualify
1972 (Belgium): Did not qualify
1968 (Italy) Did not qualify
1964 (Spain): Did not qualify
1960 (France): Did not qualify
4h ago
Andy Jones
Burnley Correspondent
The Radar: Rafael Leao
The Radar: Rafael Leao
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Rafael Leao is more than your regular footballer. When he is not making defenders dance to his tune on the pitch, he spends time in the recording studio he installed in his home making his own. Leao, performing as alter ego Way 45, has recorded two rap albums, and as a self-proclaimed shy person, it allows him to express himself.
He has been on an upwards trajectory ever since joining AC Milan from Lille in 2019. Few have captured the hearts of the Milan supporters like the left-winger. He was instrumental in their first Scudetto in 11 years, earning the Serie A MVP. In his last three seasons he has hit double figures for goals and assists.
Leao is a relentless dribbler down the left-flank, one of only four players to attempt over 100 take-ons across the last two Champions League campaigns. His quick feet and forward momentum help him break into dangerous areas too, as the player with the most carries into the penalty area (84) in Serie A last season.
The Radar – The Athletic’s Euro 2024 scouting guide
GO FURTHER
The Radar – The Athletic’s Euro 2024 scouting guide
4h ago
Jacob Whitehead
The Radar: Patrik Schick
The Radar: Patrik Schick
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Picture Patrik Schick. You’re remembering that goal against Scotland in the last European Championship, aren’t you? A brief recap: Schick was the tournament’s joint-top scorer three years ago with five goals, but lost out to Cristiano Ronaldo in the Golden Boot award because the Portugal captain had registered an assist.
Schick’s crowning moment was his long-range strike against Scotland — where the mind’s eye summons not just the cleanness of the strike, but the image of goalkeeper David Marshall laying askew in his net like a marionette with its strings cut. There was a touch of David Beckham — Schick owned a dozen of his shirts as a child.
Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen are an outstanding team and by the time Schick returned from a long-term injury, he had lost his place to Nigeria international Victor Boniface and was facing competition for minutes from versatile attacker Amine Adli. But Schick made the most of his rotational role, chipping in with several crucial interventions that kept Leverkusen’s 51-game unbeaten run alive.
Stylistically, Schick is different from his Leverkusen counterparts — he is more of a poacher, clinical in the air and wise in his movement. He is excellent in his hold-up play and is useful in a club side that floods runners into the box, but his goalscoring will be more of a focal point for the national team.
The Radar – The Athletic’s Euro 2024 scouting guide
GO FURTHER
The Radar – The Athletic’s Euro 2024 scouting guide
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