Cristiano Ronaldo will begin his sixth and final European Championship when Portugal take on Czech Republic at 8pm.

The 39-year-old, a Euro winner in 2016, is the competition’s leading scorer and appearance maker ahead of this summer’s swansong.

The Portugal captain will be flanked by a group of young emerging talent that are a good bet for glory under Roberto Martinez.

A Selecao das Quinas went unbeaten in qualifying having scored the most number of goals while conceding the least.

Portugal vs Czech Republic: Date and how to follow

This Group F showdown will take place on Tuesday, June 18.

Kick-off at Red Bull Arena in Leipzig will be at 8pm UK time.

talkSPORT will have full coverage of the match presented by Adrian Durham.

Commentary comes from Jim Proudfoot and former England captain Stuart Pearce.

To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream.

You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.

The tie will also be shown on free-to-air TV on BBC One.

5

Portugal vs Czech Republic: Team news and latest squads

Ronaldo is the most capped male player in international football history having made over 200 appearances for his country.

He’s one of seven forward players included in Martinez’s 26-man squad, with veteran defender Pepe, 41, also named.

Bayern Munich left-back Raphael Guerreiro is sidelined through injury.

Manchester City’s Matheus Nunes was originally left out, but a late injury to Otavio saw him called-up on the eve of the tournament.

Portugal XI vs Czech Republic: Costa, Dalot, Pepe, Dias, Cancelo, Silva, Fernandes, Vitinha, Mendes, Ronaldo, Leao

Czech Republic XI vs Portugal: Stanek, Holes, Hranac, Krejci, Coufal, Sulc, Soucek, Provod, Doudera, Kuchta, Schick

5

Portugal vs Czech Republic: Players to watch

Cristiano Ronaldo

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has been his country’s main hope for two decades, but this may be his last dance among the elite.

Despite being in the twilight of his historic career, Ronaldo comes into the tournament after a record-breaking 35-goals in Saudi Arabia.

His form has meant Al-Nassr are hoping to extend his contract that would see him play until he’s at least 41 and give him a shot of appearing at the World Cup 2026.

However, Euro 2024 could still be Ronaldo’s final international tournament and he’ll be desperate to impress on the biggest stage.

And if he gets himself on the score sheet in Germany, he will become the oldest goalscorer in European Championship history – a record currently held by ex-Austria international Ivica Vastic (38 years and 257 days).

5

Patrik Schick

Czech Republic lacks standout stars, with Premier League fans aware of West Ham duo Vladimir Coufal and Tomas Soucek.

However, how well the country performs at the tournament could come down to the form of striker Schick.

The 28-year-old recovered from several injury problems to play a key role in Bayer Leverkusen winning their first Bundesliga title.

Schick scored four goals in his last eight Bundesliga outings to preserve Xabi Alonso‘s unbeaten season in the German top-flight.

5

Portugal vs Czech Republic: What has been said?

Portugal boss Martinez has highlighted why Ronaldo remains so crucial to his side as he approaches his 40th birthday.

He said: “As for Cristiano Ronaldo, I think it’s better to talk about statistics.

“A player who scores 42 goals in 41 games for his club shows continuity, a physical ability to always be fit and quality in front of goal that we really like and need.

“We don’t make choices based on where the players play. We want to create the best team and call the 26 players who make up the best team.

“We monitor the players’ individual performance and role that they have in the locker room. There are players who have secondary roles in important locker rooms and others who have important roles in less strong locker rooms.

“Since March 2023 until now, we have a lot of information.”

To lift the trophy:

*odds subject to change

Unsure who to back? Take a spin on the Lucky Dip wheel and get a random team at 20/1 to win the tournament.

You could get England at a massive price! – spin here. 18+ gambleaware.org