Portugal has qualified for the quarter-final of the UEFA Nations League in the last round when they thrashed Poland 5-1. So, coach Roberto Martinez has sent home Cristiano Ronaldo, Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes and Pedro Neto and decided to introduce the Portuguese public to some new, younger generation of players. He decided to do so in a strong match against Croatia. The third-placed World Cup team has disappointed so far in the UEFA Nations League as they have picked up just one point from their last six available, drawing 3-3 with Poland and losing 1-0 last time out to Scotland at Hampden Park. So, the hosts were hoping that they would be able to win against not-so-strong Portugal and secure their place in the quarterfinals. They failed in their quest, but in the end, a 1-1 draw was enough for them to end their assignment successfully.Unlike Portugal, the Croats had to bring out their strongest squad, so captain and Real’s midfielder Luka Modrić was on the field from the first minute, along with Manchester City’s Gvardiol and Mateo Kovačić but it was Portugal who was still better, especially in the first half. The quickness of Rafael Leao and Joao Felix caused problems, and Portugal had two good chances in the opening minutes, but Croatia’s Livakovic saved both of them. But he couldn’t do anything in the 33rd minute, when Vitinha fired a brilliant pass over the top into the path of Felix, who fired the ball past Livakovic. A super goal, which was checked by VAR, but eventually stood, as there was no offside. Unit the end of the half there was another good chance from Chelsea’s forward, while the hosts had only one (but good chance), when Kramaric rattled the post. Finally, in the second half, Joško Gvardiol scored the goal, which was enough for Croats to go through the quarter-finals, despite the fact that Scotland won in Poland 2-1.UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE (A)MondayCroatia – Portugal 1-1 (0-1)/Gvardiol 65 – Joao Felix 33/Poland – Scotland 1-2 (0-1)/Piatkowski 59 – McGinn 3, Robertson 90+3/Serbia – Denmark 0-0Spain – Switzerland 3-2 (1-0)/Pino 32, Gil 68, Zaragoza 90+3 pen – Monteiro 63, Zeqiri 85 pen/Tuesday22:45: (10.5) B&H (5.70) Netherlands (1.33)22:45: (6.75) Hungary (4.40) Germany (1.53)
