In the countdown to German Euro 2024, Portugalthat at the command of Robert Martinez has won 12 of its last 14 games, suffered, including João Felix in the first part and João Cancelo in the second, a defeat in their friendly preparations against Luka Modric’s Croatiamore effective in all aspects at the Jamor National Stadium, where they won 1-2. Croatia is rival of Spainnext to Italy and Albaniain the first stage of the Euro Cup.
The captain of the Portuguese team did not participate in the match, Cristiano Ronaldo, who later joined the group and was on the bench. On the other hand, Barcelona fans did. João Felix (who played the first half with a poor performance) and João Cancelo (who played in the second, had a good chance that was stopped by the Croatian defense).
Portugal had a bad time then Croatia in the first half despite having possession. Already in the 8th minute, the third-ranked team in the 2022 Qatar World Cup and runner-up in the 2018 Russia World Cup signaled Vitinha’s penalty on Mateo Kovacic (Much protested by the Portuguese, even himself Vitinha and Roberto Martínez, coach of Portugal, came to complain to the referee at the end of the first half). Modric changed it. The Madrid player is highly motivated a week after winning the Champions League at Wembley.
PORTUGAL
12
Croatia
PORTUGAL: Diogo Costa; Dalot (N. Semedo, 46′), Dias, Gonçalo Inacio, Nuno Mendes (Cancelo, 46′); Vitinha (M. Nunes, 84), J. Palhinha; B. Silva, Bruno Fernandes (P. Neto, 70′), Joao Félix (Leao, 46′); Mr. Ramos (Jota, 46′)
CROATIA: Livakovic; Stanisic, Sutalo, Pongracic, Gvardiol; Modric (Sucic, 54′), Brozovic (Ivanusec, 75′), Kovacic (Vlasic, 75′); Majer (Pasalic, 54′), Budimir (Petkovic, 67′) and Kramaric (Perisic, 54′)
The objectives: 0-1, Modric, from a penalty (8′); 1-1, Hiyas (48′); 1-2, Budimir (56′) stadium: National Jamor
Referee: Hurt Osmers (Germany). Yellow: Budimir (40′), Brozovicć (59′) and Joao Cancelo (77′)
see the match sheet
The truth is Croatia He had other chances, like the one from Lovro Majer or the ones from the defender Manchester City Josko Guardiol in their attacks. Through Portugal, Gonçalo Ramos He performed an acrobatic shot, but it went high.
Changes, after a break, with them Rafael Leaoto enter through João Felix and that of Ramos’ Diogo Jotaencouraged Portugalwho, with a lot of opportunism in the 48th minute, tied the match, after receiving the ball from Nelson Semedo.
This is another one Portugalbut Croatia progress again, this time thanks to Before Budimir, who took advantage of a rebound in the 56th minute after a shot hit the crossbar.
since Portugal They attacked and attacked in search of at least tying the game, and had chances, but without a goal. Before the Euro Cup in those Robert Martinez They have one more friendly left, in Tuesday’s match Ireland.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
