Portugal clinch last gasp victory over Czechia - but performance raises more questions than answers

Portugal managed to eventually break down a stubborn and resilient Czechia defence to earn a 2-1 victory, but concerns were raised after a far from convincing performance.

A flat first half display which went by with few chances of note ended 0-0, with Portugal dominating the ball but creating little of note.

Portugal's lack of invention and creativity was eventually punished as Czechia, with their only shot on target of the game - a beauty scored by Lukas Provod in the 62nd minute - a succer-punch which left the Portuguese faithful frustrated and aghast in the stands.

Manager Roberto Martinez celebrated notably wildly as Portugal bagged their equaliser just seven minutes later, which was only obtained thanks to a highly unfortunate Czechia own goal.

Passion you could call it, but you can undeniably see the humour in seeing the Seleção, blessed with all their attacking talent, reliant on Czechia's misfortune to actually break the deadlock, even more so that the manager should be so ecstatic despite such a lacklustre display.

Portugal got the job done on the night, a last gasp effort from late substitute Francisco Conceição salvaging all three points in the 92nd minute enough to get the national team off to a winning start. But it was far from convincing.

Questions arose before a ball was even kicked. The revelation that Martinez had opted for a back three consisting of Ruben Dias, Pepe and Nuno Mendes was a huge surprise, not only for the system but also for the fact that Mendes - who represents Portugal's only out and out left back in the squad - was chosen at centre half ahead of three other natural centrebacks that were fit and available for selection.

Martinez also chose not to play a defensive midfielder, instead electing Vitinha and Bruno Fernandes - two highly gifted technicians, but certainly not individuals blessed with physicality - as Portugal's midfield duo.

It was a bold and risky strategy, one which would leave Martinez up for scrutiny should it not pay off - and after such a disappointing and disjointed team performance, criticism in his decision making and the team at large has been amplified.

Further questions came when Martinez waited until the 92nd minute to introduce two of Portugal’s most influential substitutes - Pedro Neto and Francisco Conceicao. Leaving such creative and direct players with such little time to make an impact was a scarcely believable decision, and while their introduction was ultimately the catalyst for Portugal’s win, it is baffling that it took so long to make such an obvious alteration.

Rarely are the most entertaining teams in a tournament the eventual champions - but Portugal will have to improve considerably if they harbour genuine ambitions of lifting the European Championship trophy next month.