LEIPZIG, Germany, June 19, 2024 (AFP) - Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal beat

the Czech Republic 2-1 to claim a Euro 2024 debut victory on Tuesday but they
needed to come from behind with a 92nd-minute winner from youngster Francisco
Conceicao.

Earlier in the section's other clash, Turkey bested Georgia 3-1 in a
pulsating match in Dortmund.

Roberto Martinez's Portugal qualified at a canter with a 100 percent record,
but only just scraped victory in Leipzig in their first match, under driving
rain.

Ronaldo played at a record-extending sixth European Championship and 41-year-
old defender Pepe became the tournament's oldest ever player for the Selecao.

The Czechs went ahead against the run of play through Lukas Provod's fine
strike from the edge of the box after the hour mark, but Robin Hranac's own
goal soon pulled Portugal level before Conceicao's winner.

"We want to do more, but there was also a lot of emotion, a lot of desire and
sometimes we failed to pull off the strategic plan," said Portugal midfielder
Vitinha, awarded player of the match.

"We wanted to come out strong, show our strength and unfortunately we
conceded the goal first, on the Czech Republic's first opportunity.

"We showed all our coolness and resilience."

Portugal supporters chanted Ronaldo's name and imitated his "Suuuui"
celebration shout as they marched to the game waving flags and in high
spirits despite a brief but intense thunderstorm.

Around 8,000 fans attended Portugal's open training session on Saturday, many
of whom were just hoping for a glimpse of the 39-year-old former Real Madrid
striker.

Thousands of fans sported replica Ronaldo shirts at the match but were unable
to watch the all-time record Euros goalscorer find the net on a frustrating
night against a solid Czech side.

Ronaldo was thrice denied by goalkeeper Jindrich Stanek on a record Euros
appearance and headed against the post, but was offside.

Diogo Jota put the rebound into the net but the goal was disallowed after VAR
highlighted Al Nassr striker Ronaldo's infringement.

It did not matter for Portugal in the end as 21-year-old Porto winger
Conceicao, son of former Portugal international Sergio Conceicao, struck from
close range.

"Francisco is the ultimate example of earning it, he deserves to be here and
showed he is ready to help the group," Martinez told reporters.

The former Wigan and Everton coach defended his team's performance.

"Today we won, because the group is united, it's a very resilient group, we
became resilient over the past few days," he said.

"(After conceding) it would have been very easy to blame each other but we
didn't do that. We were a team."

The Czechs were left agonising after battling so hard and almost claiming a
point.

"It hurts terribly when you work like this for 90 minutes, you give
everything and you lose in the end," said Czech goalscorer Provod.

"Our defenders played an incredible game. We just needed a bit more luck."

- Turkey turn-out -

A well-supported Turkey started the Euros in entertaining fashion with an
end-to-end win over debutants Georgia.

Real Madrid playmaker Arda Guler scored a brilliant goal, along with strikes
by Mert Muldur and Kerem Akturkoglu, to delight the masses of Turkish
supporters.

Georgia were dangerous after Georges Mikautadze levelled Muldur's superbly
hit opener, and struck the woodwork.

Napoli star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was below his best but despite defeat his
team offered enough to give themselves hope for the matches ahead, against
the Czech Republic and then Portugal.

"It was a match worthy of the Euros, we had great support even in difficult
moments. This win is also for them and the party that they'll have," Turkey
coach Vincenzo Montella told reporters.

"It's my 50th birthday today so it was perfect day of sport and the victory
was the best present that the boys could have given me."

Hosts Germany are back in action on Wednesday as the second round of group
matches commences, facing Hungary in Stuttgart.

Scotland are chasing their first victory at a major tournament since 1996 as
they take on Switzerland in the other Group A match, while in Group B Croatia
play Albania.