Euro 2024: Ronaldo on verge of European Championship record as Portugal opens vs. Czech Republic

LEIPZIG, Germany (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo can become the first player to feature at six European Championships when Portugal opens its Euro 2024 campaign against the Czech Republic. But Ronaldo is not the only danger for the Czechs, who are making their eight successive appearance. Kickoff is at 9 p.m. local time (1900 GMT) on Tuesday. Here’s what to know about the match:

— This will be the fourth meeting between the countries at the tournament. The Czechs won the first 1-0 in 1996, and Portugal won in 2008 and 2012. Portugal has won the last four meetings between the teams, without conceding in the last three.

— Both teams reached the knockout stage of Euro 2020, with defending champion Portugal losing to Belgium in the round of 16 while the Czechs lost in the quarterfinals to Denmark.

— While Portugal won Euro 2016, the Czechs need to go back to 1976 for their triumph when the country was still part of Czechoslovakia. Antonín Panenka scored the winning penalty in the shootout against West Germany by softly dinking the ball through the middle while the goalkeeper dived to the side. Other players like Spain’s Sergio Ramos have since tried their luck scoring “Panenka” penalties.

— Spanish coach Roberto Martínez was in charge of the Belgium team that knocked Portugal out of the last edition. He’s now the Portugal coach, and his team eased through qualifying for Euro 2024 as the only team to win every game. Martínez’ side scored 36 goals and conceded only two as it qualified with three matches to spare.

— Even without Ronaldo, Portugal boasts a formidable attacking lineup with Barcelona’s João Félix, Paris Saint-Germain’s Gonçalo Ramos and Milan’s Rafael Leão all providing options for Bruno Fernandes in midfield.

— But it’s clear Ronaldo is still the main attraction for fans. Police had to intervene to remove some enamored supporters from Portugal’s open training session in Gütersloh on Saturday when they ran onto the field to take selfies with the Portugal star. Some 8,000 fans attended the training session.

— Turkey and Georgia are the other teams in Group F. They meet earlier Tuesday in Dortmund.

— Czech Republic coach Ivan Hašek has no injury problems to worry about but said he was going to see how Monday’s final training session went before deciding on his starting lineup. “I know that we have 26 players who can play tomorrow,” he said.

— Portugal counterpart Roberto Martínez was due to give an update on his team later Monday.

— Ronaldo, who made his tournament debut at Euro 2004 where Portugal reached the final, already has the records for the most goals (14) and appearances (25) at the tournament. The 39-year-old forward showed he’s not finished yet by scoring two goals as Portugal warmed up with a 3-0 win over Ireland.

— Ronaldo bagged five goals at Euro 2020, the same as Czech striker Patrik Schick to share the top-scorer award. Schick is again the main target for the Czech team and arrives at the tournament full of confidence after helping Bayer Leverkusen win the Bundesliga.

“Ronaldo always thinks in big proportions, and we want to support him because he is our captain. He’s the one who has won the most among us.” – Portugal central defender Diogo Dalot.

“The Portuguese players are famous. They are popular all over the world. We’re not. We have to face them. We have to play as a team. That’s the only chance.” – Czech Republic coach Ivan Hašek.

“We know there is always a chance in football. There is always a chance to win. Even if you’re an underdog. Even if you’re considered the worst team and playing against the best, there is always a chance.” – Czech Republic midfielder Tomáš Souček.

AP Euro 2024: https://apnews.com/hub/euro-2024

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo trains with his teammates during a training session in Gutersloh, Germany, Friday, June 14, 2024. Portugal will play against Czech Republic during their Group F soccer match at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament on June 18. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo warms up during a training session in Gutersloh, Germany, Friday, June 14, 2024. Portugal will play against Czech Republic during their Group F soccer match at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament on June 18. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo applauds fans at the end of a training session in Gutersloh, Germany, Friday, June 14, 2024. Portugal will play against Czech Republic during their Group F soccer match at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament on June 18. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Stewards grab a pitch invader, left, as other pitch invader takes a selfie with Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo during a training session in Gutersloh, Germany, Friday, June 14, 2024. Portugal will play against Czech Republic during their Group F soccer match at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament on June 18. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

A pitch invader tries to reach Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo during a training session in Gutersloh, Germany, Friday, June 14, 2024. Portugal will play against Czech Republic during their Group F soccer match at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament on June 18. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo gestures during a training session in Gutersloh, Germany, Friday, June 14, 2024. Portugal will play against Czech Republic during their Group F soccer match at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament on June 18. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo gestures during a training session in Gutersloh, Germany, Friday, June 14, 2024. Portugal will play against Czech Republic during their Group F soccer match at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament on June 18. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

PUERTO SAN CARLOS, Mexico (AP) — Hurricane Polo pummeled the Mexican state of Baja California Sur with powerful winds and rain as it made landfall Tuesday, leaving coastal areas flooded and streets littered with fallen trees.

The Category 2 hurricane struck land just south of Las Barrancas, Mexico, about 80 miles (130 kilometers) north of Cabo San Lazaro with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph (175 kph).

About 700 people remained in shelters Tuesday. But they were expected to return to their homes, and no serious damage or deaths were immediately reported, according to authorities.

By mid-day Tuesday, Polo made a second landfall and weakened to become a tropical storm as it moved inland through the Mexican state of Sonora after crossing the Gulf of California.

Remnants of the storm were expected to track northeastward, adding to heavy rains already bringing floods to parts of the U.S. Southwest.

Forecasters warned north-central New Mexico, including Albuquerque and Santa Fe, could feel the brunt of the complex tropical system, with as much as 3 to 4 inches (about 8 to 10 centimeters) of rain through Wednesday and possibly more.

After Polo passed over the small fishing town of Puerto San Carlos on the Baja California peninsula, residents waded among downed trees through ankle-high water that flooded some homes. Seeing their roughened community largely intact brought relief to those who had prepared for the worst.

Shopkeeper Elbia María Bachomo, 40, picked through furniture strewn through her home. She and her three children had gathered their clothes quickly and left for a shelter Monday as water began flooding into their home.

Her husband was out on the water fishing for sardines when Polo hit. Bachomo said he was fortunate to escape alive.

“I thought, ‘Oh no, what are we going to come back to? We will be left with nothing.’ But we were lucky,” she said.

Polo was expected to produce 6 to 12 inches (about 15 to 30 centimeters) of rain across parts of Baja California Sur.

Forecasters predicted Polo would hit the Mexican mainland with life-threatening winds and flash floods. Sonora officials suspended all “nonessential” activities, including school, sports and nonessential work in the state capital and more than a dozen municipalities.

Meanwhile, the hurricane center reported Tropical Storm Rachel was moving parallel to Mexico's coast early Tuesday. The storm was about 265 miles (425 kilometers) southwest of Lazaro Cardenos with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (105 kph). It was moving west-northwest at 13 mph (20 kph).

Bands of rain continued to sweep across the U.S. Southwest on Tuesday, causing desert rivers to surge and usually dry arroyos to rage with floodwater. Nearly all of the region was under flood watches as the complex system of tropical weather — with Polo the main event — spread northeast from Mexico.

“Definitely looking at the chances for urban flooding,” said National Weather Service meteorologist Carter Greulich in Albuquerque. “Don’t drive through flooded roadways. Remain out of the arroyos, especially in our urban areas.”

The system made a brisk pass through Phoenix early Tuesday, dumping up to 2 inches (5 centimeters) of rain before tapering. North of the city, a truck was swept away in a wash in the New River area. The driver got out safely, Maricopa County sheriff’s officials said.

The rocky, desert area typically gets less than 10 inches (25 centimeters) of rain annually with little vegetation to soak it up, making flash flooding a perpetual risk.

Near Zion National Park in Utah, the East Fork of the Virgin River raged with chocolate floodwater seen carrying a shipping container downstream.

In the small town of Orderville, Utah, where flooding began Monday night, Sabrina Dubay was driving home when her partner called and told her to stay away.

“The river came in and swept around the entirety of our house,” Dubay said, adding that her partner told her, “We’re about to lose everything.”

A camper, snowmobile trailer, and other items from Dubay’s yard were swept away by the river. Neighbors and friends arrived to dig a trench around the house as the water rose around their home.

“It was coming in through our front doors,” she said.

Flooding also was reported in southern New Mexico. An unusually soggy September across the region set the stage: When the ground is saturated, rainfall has nowhere to go but run off.

“Runoff is likely going to start much quicker and lead to those flooding impacts quicker,” Greulich said.

Forecasters said the flood risk would move into parts of the central U.S. beginning late Tuesday and into Wednesday. Starting late Wednesday, widespread heavy rain was expected to hit the Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin and San Antonio areas. Life-threatening flash flooding was possible, with low-lying areas especially vulnerable.

Parts of west Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa were under flood watch through Thursday, with some areas expecting up to 5 inches (13 centimeters) of rain.

In the central Pacific Ocean, Hurricane Nolo remained a dangerous Category 3 hurricane on Tuesday as it edged away from Hawaii after drenching parts of the Big Island over the weekend.

Pacific storm activity has been above average during what is already the peak of hurricane season. That pattern is consistent with El Niño years, when the Pacific often sees more tropical storms and hurricanes.

Nolo was about 270 miles (435 kilometers) south-southeast of French Frigate Shoals with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph (175 kph) moving north, at 9 mph (15 kph).

The hurricane was approaching Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, a marine conservation area, according to the hurricane center.

Janetsky reported from Mexico City. Eduardo Verdugo in Puerto San Carlos, Mexico, Julie Walker in New York, Mead Gruver in Fort Collins, Colorado, Mikella Schuettler in Phoenix, Sarah Raza in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Eugene Garcia and Gregory Bull in Hilo, Hawaii, contributed to this report.

An uprooted tree lies on the ground after the passing of Hurricane Polo in Puerto San Carlos, Baja California Sur state, Mexico, Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)

A resident retrieves belongings from their home that was damaged by Hurricane Polo in Puerto San Carlos, Baja California Sur state, Mexico, Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)

Vehicles drive in the rain on the I-10 with Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) warning signs displayed along the route, Monday, Sept. 28, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

A man carries items through floodwater past downed electric lines after the passing of Hurricane Polo in Puerto San Carlos, Baja California Sur state, Mexico, Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)

A resident enters his home surrounded by water brought by Hurricane Polo in Puerto San Carlos, Baja California Sur state, Mexico, Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)

Workers pull a boat to shore as Hurricane Polo approaches Puerto San Carlos, Baja California Sur state, Mexico, Monday, Sept. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)

People evacuate their homes as Hurricane Polo approaches Puerto San Carlos, Baja California Sur state, Mexico, Monday, Sept. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)

Residents are evacuated by the Army as Hurricane Polo approaches Puerto San Carlos, Baja California Sur state, Mexico, Monday, Sept. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)

People evacuate their homes as Hurricane Polo approaches Puerto San Carlos, Baja California Sur state, Mexico, Monday, Sept. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)

Workers pull a boat to shore as Hurricane Polo approaches Puerto San Carlos, Baja California Sur state, Mexico, Monday, Sept. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)