Croatia vs Portugal – Match preview and team news

The Football Faithful

·18 de novembro de 2024

Croatia vs Portugal – Match preview and team news

Croatia welcome group winners Portugal to Split this evening in the final fixture of their Nations League group.

The home side are in pole position to progress to the quarter-finals alongside tonight’s opponents, but are at risk of missing out if results do not go in their favour. Croatia will be assured of a place in the last eight if defeat is avoided.

Portugal head into the clash after thrashing Poland to wrap up top spot. Roberto Martinez’s side are aiming to win the Nations League for the second time after lifting the inaugural trophy in 2019.

Vídeos OneFootball

It will be a rotated team for Portugal, who have allowed names including Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes to leave the camp ahead of this dead-rubber.

Croatia vs Portugal – Match preview and team news

Form

Croatia: LWWDL

Croatia have faltered of late with Zlatko Dalić’s side unable to get over the line and seal progress.

After blowing a two-goal cushion to draw with Poland last month, Croatia lost 1-0 in Scotland on Friday night. John McGinn’s 86th-minute goal earned Scotland the points at Hampden Park after Croatia were reduced to 10 men, following Petar Sucic’s first-half dismissal.

A point will be enough to send Croatia into the last eight, though the Checkered Ones could be overhauled if Scotland win in Poland and they are beaten by Portugal.

Portugal: WWWDW

It’s been an almost perfect Nations League campaign for Portugal, with a goalless draw with Scotland their only dropped points of the campaign.

On Friday, Roberto Martinez’s side thrashed Poland 5-1 with all five goals coming after half-time. The timeless Cristiano Ronaldo was on target twice to extend his record to 135 goals in 217 games for the national team. Bruno Fernandes and Pedro Neto were also on the scoresheet.

Portugal net FIVE against Poland and seal top spot in Group A1 of the UEFA Nations League 🔥🇵🇹
– sexta-feira, 15 de novembro de 2024

After a mixed campaign at Euro 2024 ended in the quarter-finals, a talented group are aiming to fulfil their clear potential in the Nations League.

Last Meeting

Portugal 2-1 Croatia, 5th September 2024, Nations League

Portugal opened their Nations League campaign with a hard-fought win over Croatia on matchday one. Manchester United full-back Diogo Dalot opened the scoring inside seven minutes in Lisbon and Cristiano Ronaldo soon doubled the home side’s advantage with his 900th career goal.

However, Dalot put through his own net before half-time to offer Croatia a lifeline. The visitors pushed for an equaliser but were unable to find a leveller as Portugal held on for the points.