"Worst players in the team", "Don't deserve a spot" - Fans call out 3 Portugal stars for their performance despite 2-1 win in Euro 2024 clash
Portugal nearly fell short of expectations as they beat Czechia 2-1 in their opening match of EURO 2024. It was a close shave that needed them to fight hard at the end to secure all three points against a team they were expected to bully. Fans were not pleased with the outcome, singling out three players for underperforming.
Manchester City star Bernardo Silva, AC Milan forward Rafael Leao, and Manchester United fullback Diogo Dalot were the three players who struggled. Silva managed to create two chances, but he was unable to make an impact in the final third, taking only one shot on target.
Leao was hardly recognizable in their EURO 2024 opening match, as he spent over an hour on the pitch but could only make 12 accurate passes. Diogo Dalot was a better option in possession, making 33 passes, but he was unable to impact the game outside of an off-target shot from distance.
Fans took to social media to slam the trio:
"Bernardo Silva, Leao and Dalot needs to be dropped. Worst players in the team," a fan complained.
"I think Leao, Bernardo Silva and Dalot dont deserve a spot in the starting team the way theyre playing. They are in a bad form for their clubs and now also havent been very productive the last couple of international matches. Portugal should see past their hype and realise it," another fan lashed out at them.
"Ronaldo is the issue? Not leao, Dalot and Bernardo Silva playing rubbish?" a fan asked another.
"Cancelo,Leao,dalot,Silva all lost," another added.
"Dalot playing well by remove him? Leao is bad so is Bernardo Silva," another said about the EURO 2024 clash.
"Dalot, Silva, Inacio and Leao. Buckle up, jog back to the the airport and f*** right off to Portugal please for god's sake," another slammed the trio.
"Dalot and Leao had very poor games actually, hopefully they step up in consequent matches," a fan also complained.
Other added:
Portugal beat Czechia 2-1 in their EURO 2024 opener
The first half was total domination from Selecao das Quinas, although with nothing on the scoreline to show for all their work in the final third. They held on to the lion's share of the possession (75%) in the first 45, threatening to constantly overpower Locomotiva, but could not find the clinical edge.
The second half saw things turn on its head. Although Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal maintained their control of the game, a momentary lapse in their defensive third saw Czechia open the scoring. Lukas Provod received the ball just outside the D, before sending an absolute curling outward and beyond the goalkeeper's reach into the left of the goal.
Portugal equalized some 7 minutes later through an own goal from Robin Hranac. A ball from Vitinha met Nuno Mendes, who put it back in the six-yard area, where the Locomotiva defense, which had stood strong for nearly 70 minutes, faltered. The ball hit Hranac and entered the goal to keep Selecao das Quinas level in the EURO 2024.
An effort against the post from Cristiano Ronaldo in the 87th minute met Diogo Jota in the six-yard box, and he put the ball in the net, but it was ruled offside. In injury, though, an effort from Chico Conceicao from the same six-yard area was clinical - and onside - to hand Portugal the lead in their EURO 2024 opener.