November 18, 2024 – With a 1-1 draw against Portugal at Poljud, Croatia has advanced to the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals as second in their group!
Croatia met Portugal in the last match of the UEFA Nations League Group A1 and fought to confirm their spot in the quarter-finals.
Recall, after losing 1-0 to Scotland in Glasgow on Friday, Croatia failed to secure their spot in the quarter-finals of the Nations League then. But a draw against Portugal at Poljud was enough to send them to the next round of the competition. Fortunately, Portugal also arrived with a much weaker lineup, leaving its biggest stars Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, and Bernardo Silva at home.
Lineups
CROATIA: Livaković, Šutalo, Ćaleta-Car, Gvardiol, Perišić, Modrić, Kovačić, Sosa, Kramarić, Baturina, Matanović
PORTUGAL: Sa, Semedo, Araujo, Veiga, Cancelo, Otavio, Joao Neves, Vitinha, Nuno Mendes, Rafael Leao, Joao Felix
Match report
It didn’t matter that Portugal had already secured first place in the group – they came here to win, which was evident from the first minute. Their first dangerous chance came in the 3rd minute which Sosa saved.
Croatia’s first opportunity on goal came in the 7th minute with a through ball to Kramaric, though the ball got to the Portugal keeper first.
Croatia had their first corner in the 13th minute which was cleared by the Portugal defense. Portugal had their first in the 17th minute, followed by a dangerous free kick just outside the box. Portugal was pressuring Croatia’s defense and left them with few opportunities to move into their half.
In the 30th minute, Portugal had another excellent chance. Croatia had another corner in the 31st minute which was knocked out yet again.
Overall, it was a very dull first half, that is, until Joao Felix found the back of the net for 0-1 Portugal in the 33rd minute.
Croatia was quick to pick up the pace after conceding the goal with a great run by Kova and Krama hitting the post. But it was shortlived, and Croatia went back to defending an attacking Portugal. The match was 0-1 at haftime.
Dalić made two subs to start the second half. Mario Pašalić came on for Mateo Kovačić and Kristijan Jakić for Borna Sosa.
Croatia had a good start to the second half. Perisic launched the ball into the penalty area which went out for a corner in the 47th minute. Kramarić took a strong shot two minutes later but it went into the hands of the keeper.
Luka Sučić came on for Perišić in the 57th minute – and a goal was called offside for Croatia in the 61st minute. Budimir came on for Matanović in the 63rd minute.
With fresh subs (notably Sučić), Croatia was much quicker. And in the 66th minute, Gvardiol found the back of the net for 1-1 with a Jakić assist!
Portugal missed a sitter in the 73rd minute, which went out for a corner – and Croatia had an even better chance in the 77th minute, going just over the goal. Nikola Moro came on for Luka Modrić in the 78th minute.
Five minutes of stoppage time were added, during which Budimir nailed the post and Croatia almost scored off a corner kick.
The game ended 1-1, which was enough to send Croatia through to the next round!
The 2024/25 UEFA Nations League knockout stage draw will take place on Friday, November 22nd. The UEFA Nations League quarter-finals are planned for March.
“I congratulate my players for advancing in this competition. It was not easy and we had some poor results but we always played well. Tonight, we were much better in the second half but we got the job done,” said Dalić after the match.
Croatia could draw Spain, France or Germany in the quarter-finals.
