Croatia defeated Portugal 2-1 in a recent Euro warmup match, showcasing their strengths and determination on the field. The Croatian team displayed excellent teamwork and strategic play throughout the game, ultimately securing a well-deserved victory.
The match was closely contested, with both teams showing skill and precision in their gameplay. However, Croatia's ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities and maintain a strong defensive presence gave them the edge over Portugal. Their performance demonstrated their readiness for the upcoming Euro tournament.
Goals in each half by Luka Modric and Ante Budimir got Croatia a historic first win over Portugal in eight matches when they beat the hosts 2-1 in an international friendly on Saturday, as Cristiano Ronaldo remained on the bench.
Vitinha brought down Mateo Kovacic in the box soon after kick-off, resulting in a penalty. Portugal keeper Diogo Costa rightly guessed where Modric would aim, but his dive to the right fell just short as the Real Madrid midfielder scored his 25th goal for Croatia.
Portugal has one more friendly — against Ireland on Tuesday — before it starts the competition against the Czech Republic on June 18 in Leipzig. Portugal is the favorite in Group F that also includes Turkey and Georgia.
Cristiano Ronaldo never left Portugal’s bench, with coach Roberto Martínez tapping Gonçalo Ramos to spear his attack.
Ronaldo joined Portugal on Friday after finishing his club campaign with Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia. The 39-year-old is set to make a record sixth appearance at the European Championship. Men’s soccer all-time leading scorer with 128 goals, Ronaldo helped Portugal win the European title in 2016.
Portugal have now conceded eight goals in four friendlies and lost two of their previous three games, hardly encouraging performances with the European Championship starting next week.
Martínez repeatedly asserted that results are not the most important objectives in friendlies. While this is true, surely he would have hoped for better performances than the ones we saw in Slovenia and Jamor.
The Republic or Ireland await in the final friendly in Aveiro where Pepe, Rúben Neves and Cristiano Ronaldo will certainly get some minutes on the pitch. João Neves and Francisco Conceição will hope to be afforded some game time to impress before the plane takes off for Germany.
Read more
Brazil 2-3 Mexico, Endrick’s late goal lifts Brazil past Mexico Air Canada flight to Paris catches fire seconds after taking off from airport
Sarah H
Also on site :
- ASU’s Kyndrich Breedlove, Duke’s Landen King both ejected late in 1st half of Sun Bowl
- Duke lineman Kobe Smith suffers gruesome injury in Sun Bowl: ‘Not going to show that one again’
- Around The NBA: Atlanta Fire Sale? NCAA Return Rules, Tanking Tweaks, Christmas Ratings, More