Portugal got off to a winning start at Euro 2024 against the Czech Republic, and Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa reacted after the game.
Roberto Martinez’s side are among the favourites out in Germany, but it was not a particularly great performance from them last night.
Portugal won 2-1 in the end, but did actually fall behind thanks to a great strike in the second-half from Lukas Provod. This, after Portugal had dominated the ball but didn’t create many meaningful chances.
Portugal got back on level terms shortly after though, getting a big slice of luck when goalkeeper Jindrich Stanek parried a Nuno Mendes header against his own defender Robin Hranac.
After Diogo Jota then saw a goal ruled out for offside against Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal then went ahead in the 92nd minute. And it was Wolves winger Pedro Neto, just on as a substitute, who set up Francisco Conceicao to score.
After the game, Jose Sa posted on social media.
Jose Sa reacts after Pedro Neto comes in clutch for Portugal
Portugal will need to improve a lot if they are to go on and be contenders to win this tournament.
They have so many talented players, but they were poor for a large part of the game against Czech Republic.
The Czechs defended well, to their credit, but Portugal had the quality on paper to get past them relatively easily.
Martinez could well make changes for their next game against Turkey, who impressed against Georgia earlier in the day. One man who might be in with a chance to start is Neto, who played a huge part in Portugal’s win last night.
Neto came on as a substitute in the 90th minute along with Conceicao, and it took him just a couple of minutes to impact the game.
He collected the ball on the left wing, came inside Vladimir Coufal and brought the ball inside. He then played a low ball across for Conceicao. There was an element of luck about it, with defender Hranic unable to clear it.
But it was great play from Neto, who has surely given Martinez something to consider for the next game.
After Portugal’s win last night, Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa – who was an unused substitute – posted on Instagram. He wrote: “A family until the end.”
Sa also posted to his Instagram Story, sharing Neto’s post and sending two fist emojis to make a bump.
Brilliant from Neto
What a cameo this was from Neto, who is bound to see more minutes at the tournament for Portugal from here on in.
Wolves fans have seen what he showed last night time and time again. Him getting the ball and being direct, with sharp changes of direction.
Martinez was probably wishing he would have got him on sooner – ultimately, Portugal might have had a more comfortable finish to the game had he done so.
Hopefully, Neto will now get to start against Turkey.