No winner this Monday between a second Portugal and Croatia, which took the opportunity to validate its ticket for the quarter-finals of the League of Nations.
Portugal, already qualified for the quarter-finals of the League of Nations, could not do better than the draw Monday evening against Croatia (1-1), which also validates its ticket on the occasion of the last match of this group stage.
Deprived of several of its executives, including its star striker Cristano Ronaldo, the Seleçao struggled to win against a more offensive Croatian team at the end of the match. After a first part dominated by the Portuguese selection and several missed opportunities, it was not until the 33rd minute that Joao Felix opened the scoring. On a deep pass from Vitinha, the Chelsea striker scored with a powerful shot leaving the Croatian goalkeeper with little chance.
In the second half, Croatia was better organized and more effective. In the 65th minute, on a long cross from the right from Jakic, it was Josko Gvardiol’s turn to equalize, after a goal disallowed a few minutes earlier. Portugal is still trying to regain the upper hand. Nuno Mendes, served on the left, tries to finish, but the Croatian goalkeeper manages to stop the ball. In the final minutes, the advantage seemed to tilt towards Zlatko Dalic’s players.
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Fabio Silva, first
Undefeated since the start of the competition, Roberto Martinez’s men had validated first place in group 1 of League A on Friday in Porto after a large victory against Poland (5-1) thanks in particular to a double from CR7 which scored his 135th national goal.
On the occasion of this trip to Croatia without much at stake for Portugal, counting for the 6th day of the UEFA Nations League, the coach decided to exempt the captain of the Seleçao as well as Pedro Neto, Bernardo Silva or Bruno Fernandes to allow them to rest. Monday’s match allowed Martinez to test other players such as the young 22-year-old striker Fabio Silva who was making his debut for the selection.
