Spoils shared as Croatia and Portugal qualify for Nations League quarter-finals

Croatia qualified for UEFA Nations League quarter-final thanks to a 1-1 draw with Portugal

A much-changed Portugal started the game strongly, moving the ball well and looking to play on the front foot in Split.

Roberto Martinez’s side took the lead on the half-hour mark, with Vitinha playing a superb long pass from his own half over the top of the Croatia defence and into the path of Joao Felix who took it down with a fine touch before slotting home past Dominik Livakovic.

Zlatko Dalic’s side almost equalised just five minutes later when Andrej Kramaric fired an effort which cannoned off the post.

Croatia started the second half much brighter and thought they ha equalised just after the hour mark when Josko Gvardiol headed home past Jose Sa, only for the flag to go up and the goal be ruled out.

Gvardiol did not have to wait long for another chance though and after 67 minutes he did equalise, ghosting in at the back post behind Nelson Semedo to fire home past Sa.

Croatia almost won the game in the dying moments when substitute Ante Budimir crashed an effort off the post but in the end it was immaterial, a point was all Croatia needed to join Portugal in the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals and a point is what they gained.

It has not been a particularly memorable UEFA Nations League campaign for Croatia, eight points from a possible 18 (W2 D2 L2) but tonight they had one objective in mind, to pick up a point and qualify for the quarter-finals – and that is exactly what they have done.

Despite now making it three consecutive Nations League matches without a win (1-1 with Portugal, 0-1 v Scotland and 3-3 with Poland), Zlatko Dalic’s side did enough to get over the line and join France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Denmark and Spain in the quarter-finals.

Portugal, on the other hand, will be delighted with their campaign, especially after failing to qualify for the knockout stages of the competition in each of the last two campaigns.

Tonight was an opportunity for Roberto Martinez to freshen things up after sending the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva and Cristiano Ronaldo back to their clubs early.

Martinez was able to change up his team and even give debuts to three players in the form of Tomas Araujo and substitutes Tiago Djalo and Fabio Silva, all whilst maintaining their unbeaten status. A good night’s work for both nations.

The midfielder was terrific tonight for Portugal. He was constantly buzzing around the pitch, looking for the ball and moving Portugal up the pitch with his progressive passing.

His assist for Felix’s opener was worthy of winning the player of the match award alone, but he was again instrumental for his side after also playing a pivotal role in their 5-0 victory over Poland last time out.

Croatia: Livakovic 7, Perisic 6, Sutalo 7, Caleta-Car 6, Gvardiol 7, Sosa 6, Kramaric 7, Modric 7, Kovacic 7, Baturina 6, Matanovic 6 Subs: Jakic 7, Pasalic 7, Sucic 6, Budimir 6, Moro 6.

Portugal: Sa 7, Mendes 6, Veiga 7, Araujo 8, Cancelo 7, Vitinha 9*, Neves 8, Otavio 6, Semedo 6, Felix 8, Leao 7 Subs: Djalo 6, Conceicao 6, Silva 5, Dalot 6.

33’ GOAL! CROATIA 0-1 PORTUGAL (FELIX) – Joao Felix has fired Portugal ahead with a fine finish! Vitinha fired a brilliant pass over the top into the path of Felix who makes no mistake firing past Livakovic. A super goal

38’ CROATIA RATTLE THE POST! – Kramaric with an almost instant response for Croatia! The ball bounced kindly for the forward who struck his effort well but it cannons back off the inside of the post and back into play.

67’ GOAL! CROATIA 1-1 PORTUGAL (GVARDIOL) – Gvardiol has equalised for Croatia. Jakic fires a ball to the back post and Gvardiol is on hand to fire home.

73’ SO CLOSE TO 2-1 FOR PORTUGAL – Francisco Conceicao fires a brilliant cross in to the back post which Nuno Mendes connects with but his effort is straight at Livakovic. That looked to be a certain goal.

93’ BUDIMIR STRIKES THE POST! – Budimir has crashed an effort off the outside of the post! So unlucky for the Croatian substitute.

Joao Felix has scored three UEFA Nations League goals, with all three coming against Croatia (September 2020, November 2020 and November 2024).