The spotlight is set on Leipzig’s Red Bull Arena as Portugal and the Czech Republic prepare to face off in their Euro 2024 Group F opener, a match that reignites the rivalry between Cristiano Ronaldo and Patrik Schick, the joint top scorers from Euro 2020. This highly anticipated game on Tuesday will see both forwards leading their respective lines, aiming to once again make their mark on the European stage.
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal and Patrik Schick of Czech Republic poised for a Euro 2024 showdown, rekindling their Golden Boot pursuit from the previous tournament.
Both Ronaldo and Schick netted five goals apiece in the Euro 2020 tournament, held over the summer of 2021 due to the pandemic. As Euro 2024 kicks off in Germany, all eyes will be on whether these prolific strikers can replicate their scoring form and potentially chase the coveted Golden Boot once more. For Portugal, this tournament could mark the international swansong for the legendary Cristiano Ronaldo. Despite his 39 years, Ronaldo’s hunger for goals and accolades remains undiminished. Even after transitioning from Europe’s top leagues to Saudi Arabian football with Al Nassr, his goal-scoring prowess shows no signs of waning.
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal in action, set to participate in his record-extending sixth European Championship at Euro 2024 hosted in Germany.
Ronaldo’s journey to Euro 2024 has been nothing short of impressive. He finished as the second-highest scorer in the qualifying rounds with 10 goals and boasted an astonishing 35 goals in just 31 league appearances for Al Nassr last season. His pre-tournament form was further cemented with a brace in a friendly match against Ireland, signaling his readiness for another major international tournament. While Ronaldo celebrated Euro 2016 victory with Portugal, injury limited his impact in the final. Subsequent major tournaments, including two World Cups and Euro 2020, saw Portugal fall short of expectations. This year’s Euro could be a final opportunity for Ronaldo and veteran defender Pepe, aged 41, to add to their international legacy with what is considered Portugal’s golden generation squad.
Portugal enters Euro 2024 with a formidable squad, widely regarded as one of the strongest in the competition. Their qualifying campaign was flawless, winning all 10 matches, scoring an impressive 36 goals, and conceding only twice. However, manager Roberto Martinez is acutely aware of the challenges in translating talent into tournament success, drawing from his experience with Belgium’s “Golden Generation.” Martinez recognizes the unique asset he possesses in Ronaldo. “We have 23 players, all contributing, creating competition, and the game makes decisions,” Martinez commented earlier in June. “But Cristiano is ready to help the team and give everything he can. And there is no other player in world football who can bring what Cristiano brings to the dressing room.”
On the other side, Patrik Schick leads a Czech Republic team with different ambitions but significant potential. Schick, remembered for his stunning halfway-line goal against Scotland at Euro 2020 (which won goal of the tournament), will be central to the Czech Republic’s attacking hopes. The Czechs secured second place in their qualifying group behind Albania, with four wins from eight matches against opponents including Poland, Moldova, and the Faroe Islands. Goals were harder to come by in qualifying rounds where Schick was absent, but his recent Bundesliga triumph with Bayer Leverkusen suggests he has overcome injury concerns and is ready to pose a threat to Portugal’s defense.
The Portugal vs Czech Republic match is scheduled to kick off at 21:00 local time (19:00 GMT) on Tuesday, June 18, promising an enthralling encounter between two teams with familiar faces leading the attack.
