Liverpool supporters have questioned the wisdom of Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez after Diogo Jota was left on the bench for his country’s Euro 2024 opener – as Cristiano Ronaldo was handed a start.
The decision to instead deploy AC Milan’s Rafael Leao in an attacking trio proved fruitless as the former Everton boss turned to his substitutes to make the difference in the second half versus the Czech Republic.
Trailing 1-0 after Lukas Provod’s strike in the 62nd minute, Jota was sent on for the final half hour in Leipzig.
The introduction of the Reds forward from the shadows proved an inspired move from his manager as he had a hand in the equalizer as Robin Hranac put into his own net just minutes later.
His panicked own-goal came about after Ronaldo and Jota stood waiting to pounce in the penalty area after a header across the box.
From there, Portugal were largely in the ascendancy, with Martinez’s side buoyed by the energy of the fresh legs of their substitutes.
They had appeared to have got their just reward for their efforts in the 87th minute as Jota headed home a nodded ball from Ronaldo from five yards to surely win it for the Euro 2016 victors.
However, a VAR check determined that there had been an offside in the build-up to the goal, meaning that the apparent winner was chalked off.
Still, Portugal did not relent in their efforts as they searched for another goal and they eventually took the lead for the first time in the evening in the second minute of injury time.
The dramatic goal from Francisco Conceicao sparked rapturous celebrations from his teammates as he struck just moments after being introduced as a substitute.
On a night that was defined by the contributions of Martinez’s reinforcements from the bench, some Liverpool fans questioned the ex-Wigan Athletic boss for his selection.
One fan was unequivocal in their feelings that Jota’s snub from the start for Portugal’s opener had proven a mistake, as they contended:
“Jota should be starting ahead of Ronaldo”, as a second added:
“Bruno and Leao should be on the bench. I would make Bernardo Silva the 10 and start Jota with Cr7 up front.”
Meanwhile, a third said:
“Jota comes on and Portugal score that’s why he should start ahead of Ronaldo,” as another fan made an exaggerative point about Ronaldo’s advancing years as they gave their verdict on the decision, saying:
“For leaving my Jota on the bench, I hope they lose. What is Ronaldo even doing here? That guy is pushing 50.”
Going further, one incensed fan also said: “Diogo Jota should be starting over that loser Ronaldo”, as another Reds enthusiast added:
“How Ronaldo is starting over Jota in 2024 I’ll never know.”
