Cristiano Ronaldo, the unparalleled record-holder for goals and appearances in men’s international football, is poised to lead Portugal into what may be his final European Championship campaign. As they open against Czechia on Tuesday, the 39-year-old icon, who recently set a new single-season goal-scoring record in Saudi Arabia, continues to defy age and rewrite football history.

Having already clinched a European title in 2016, Ronaldo aims to elevate Portugal to rarefied air, aiming to join Spain as one of the few nations to claim multiple Euro championships since 1990. Meanwhile, Czechia, with a storied history that includes a runner-up finish in their tournament debut and a memorable semifinal appearance in 2004, look to advance beyond the quarterfinals for the first time in years.

In Group F, the last group to commence Euro 2024 action, both teams are set to kick off their campaigns before gearing up for subsequent group stage matches.

Projected Lineups:

Portugal (4-3-3): Costa (GK) — Cancelo, Pepe, Dias, Mendes — Fernandes, Palhinha, Vitinha — Silva, Ronaldo, Leao

Notable: No injuries or suspensions.

Czechia (3-5-2): Stanek (GK) — Holes, Hranac, Krejci — Coufal, Soucek, Provod, Barak, Jurasek — Kuchta, Schick

Notable: Michal Sadilek sidelined due to a bicycle accident.

Key figures include Cristiano Ronaldo for Portugal, eager to build on his remarkable international career, supported by talents like Ruben Dias and Bruno Fernandes. Czechia pins hopes on Patrick Schick, who impressed with five goals at Euro 2020, alongside the influential duo of Tomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal from West Ham.

With intriguing storylines and seasoned talents, both sides brace for an intense clash to mark the beginning of their Euro 2024 journey.