Portugal and Croatia played out an entertaining 1-1 draw in Split as both countries progressed to the UEFA Nations League quarterfinals.
The Selecao were already confirmed as group winners after their 5-1 mauling of Poland on matchweek five and rested stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Bernardo Silva.
Nevertheless, Roberto Martinez's much-changed side were excellent during the first half, with Rafael Leao repeatedly terrorising the home defence either side of Joao Felix brilliantly opening the scoring from Vitinha's raking pass.
WHAT A BALL from Vitinha to João Félix for the Portugal GOOOOOAAAAL! 🇵🇹🔥 pic.twitter.com/1j0ErghwCD
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 18, 2024
Andrej Kramaric crashed against the post but Scotland leading in Warsaw meant Zlatko Dalic's side were dicing with a plunge into the relegation playoff when this game reached the interval.
Mario Pasalic replaced Mateo Kovacic at halftime and he and evergreen captain Luka Modric got Croatia into the ascendancy.
Josko Gvardiol again proved to be a key goal threat bombing forward from left centre-back. Shortly after the Manchester City defender had a header ruled out for marginal offside, he smuggled home at the far post.
Chances continued to flow at both ends, with Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic bravely thwarting Nuno Mendes on the end of Francisco Conceicao's cross, while substitute Ante Budimir forced an arguably even better save from Jose Sa before testing the upright in stoppage time.
Andy Robertson's late winner for Scotland was ultimately inconsequential for Croatia, with the Tartan Army going into the relegation playoff and Poland dumped down to the second tier.
Latest live updates | Team news and lineups | Where to watch where you are
Croatia vs. Portugal score
| 1st Half | Goal scorers | |
| Croatia | 1 | Gvardiol 66' |
| Portugal | 1 | Joao Felix 33' |
Venue: Stadion Poljud, Split
Referee: Davide Massa (Italy)
Lineups:
Croatia (3-4-3, right to left): 1. Dominik Livakovic (GK) — 6. Josip Sutalo, 5. Duje Caleta-Car, 4. Josko Gvardiol — 14. Ivan Perisic (21. Luka Sucic), 10. Luka Modric, 8. Mateo Kovacic (15. Mario Pasilic), 19. Borna Sosa (2. Kristijan Jakic) — 9. Andrej Kramaric, 22. Igor Matanovic (11. Ante Budimir), 16. Martin Baturina
Portugal (3-5-2, right to left): 12. Jose Sa (GK) — 2. Nelson Semedo, 3. Tomas Araujo (Tiago Djalo), 13. Renato Veiga — 20. Joao Cancelo, 15. Joao Neves, 23. Vitinha, 16. Otavio (21, Francisco Conceicao), 19. Nuno Mendes — 10. Joao Felix, 17. Rafael Leao (11. Fabio Silva)25
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Croatia vs Portugal stats
| Croatia | Stat | Portugal |
| 15 | Shots | 12 |
| 9 | Shots on target | 5 |
| 2.05 | Expected goals | 1.57 |
| 43% | Possession | 57% |
| 447 | Passes | 608 |
| 5 | Corners | 7 |
| 8 | Fouls | 8 |
| 0 | Yellow cards | 2 |
| 2 | Offsides | 1 |
Croatia vs. Portugal live updates, highlights, and commentary
Fulltime
It's all over in Split. Croatia get the draw they needed to progress but, given the situation in the group, that was more entertaining than it had any right to be.
Portugal, without the rested Cristiano Ronaldo, were magnificent during the first half and deservedly led through Joao Felix. But Croatia stepped it up during the second period and, shortly after he had a header ruled out for offside, Josko Gvardiol scored the crucial goal. Thanks for joining us.
90+5 mins: A break in play here as Moro gets some treatment for a head injury. Croatia coach and former defender Vedran Corliuka is telling his compatriots to calm down and hold on to the point. Stop ruining the fun, Vedran!
90+3 mins: Susic pings a set piece into the box, Caleta-Car tries to scramble home and Dalot hoofs clear. Portugal suddenly living on their wits.
90+2 mins: Budimir against the post! Kramaric nods on and the substitute, who was so spectacularly denied by Jose Sa earlier, clatters against the upright. He couldn't have done much more to score this evening.
90 mins: Five minutes injury time in Split. It's over in Warsaw.
87 mins: Scotland leading in Poland, which means a relegation play-off place for Steve Clarke's side and the Poles going down. Croatia sitting pretty in second if things remain as they are.
77 mins: Now some incredible heroics from Jose Sa! In fairness, his initial save to push the ball back into danger was less than ideal, but he more than made amends by denying Budimir with a point-blank reaction save.
75 mins: Livakovic claims a ball into the box from Cancelo unfussily. He completes the clearance but is not moving unlike John Wayne.
73 mins: HOW HAS THAT NOT GONE IN?!?! Conceicao straight into the action and Livakovic bravely denies Mendes, who was coming in at a rate of knots at the far post. The Croatia goalkeeper needs some treatment.
71 mins: Another senior debut for Portugal as Fabio Silva comes on for Leao, who has been unable to recapture his first-half menace. Francisco Conceicao is also on for Otavio.
66 mins: GOOOOAAAAAALLLLLL!!!! Josko Gvardiol!!!!
This one counts! Gvardiol darts to the back post to get on the end of a cross from the substitute Jakic and squeeze a finish from a tight angle past Jose Sa
64 mins: The still potentially groggy Araujo makes way for Tiago Djalo, who makes a senior international debut. He'll have to help shackle Ante Budimir, who is on for Matanovic.
62 mins: Gvardiol heads home at the far post... but the flag is up! It'll be checked but the Manchester City defender, who has developed something of an eye for goal, was just offside.
58 mins: It looks like Araujo and Matanovic are each going to continue but there is a change for Croatia, with Luka Sucic on for Perisic.
56 mins: Modric lifts a cross into the box. Matanovic attacks it and collides with a combination of Araujo and Jose Sa. Both outfield players down with sore heads.
53 mins: News from Warsaw, where Poland are level through an absolute screamer from Kamil Piatkowski.
50 mins: Kramaric unleashes a stinging strike. Jose Sa was well-placed. Good job he was.
Kickoff: 2nd Half
Here we go again. At the moment, Croatia are going through ahead of Scotland by virtue of goals scored. If Steve Clarke's side extend their lead in Warsaw, well...
There's a double change for the hosts with Pasalic and Jakic on for Kovacic and Sosa.
Halftime
The half ends, somewhat fittingly, with Leao running Croatia ragged. His ball to Cancelo isn't quite on the money and the move breaks down. As things stand, Zlatko Dalic's side are still just about going through. But they're living very dangerously indeed.
45+2 mins: Joao Felix and Leao combine smoothly, the Milan star opens his body and looks to curl into the far corner. It sails just off target with Livakovic beaten.
45+1 mins: Three additional minutes which, as far as I can work out, are all because of the VAR faff that followed Joao Felix's goal. Matanovic looks to weave into the area but Portugal close the door.
40 mins: Now Joao Felix almost gets another! Yet again, his first touch is sublime and Livakovic manages to push the shot behind.
39 mins: Kramaric against the post! Jose Sa was nowhere near that one. Gvardiol nodded Perisic's cross down to Kramaric, who swivlled to thump as shot against the left-hand upright.
37 mins: The goals stands! Off we go again. Croatia living dangerously...Kramaric sends in Matanovic to try and remedy the situation but Jose Sa saves well.
36 mins: Hang on, there's a long, long VAR check going on. Perhaps Joao Felix didn't hold his run perfectly...
33 mins: GOOOOAAAAALLLLLL!!!!! Joao Felix!!!!
What a wonderful goal to open the scoring. Vintinha uncorks a raking pass over the top of the Croatia defence. Joao Felix holds his run, brings the ball under his spell with a fabulous first touch and fires low past Livakovic.
WHAT A BALL from Vitinha to João Félix for the Portugal GOOOOOAAAAL! 🇵🇹🔥 pic.twitter.com/1j0ErghwCD
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 18, 2024
30 mins: Leao with a slick one-two, Gvardiol hurls himself at the Portugal forward's feet to make the block. Joao Neves gets to the loose ball and tees up Semedo to crash wide at the near post.
26 mins: Gvardiol is down after a bit of a petulant clump from Neves. The big defender is back up, looks okay. Also looks angry.
25 mins: Leao carrying the threat for Portugal again. Perisic scampers back gamely to help ward off the danger at the cost of a corner. Mendes' corner is cleared but Croatia are going to have to get a handle on Milan star Leao.
17 mins: Now it's Portugal's turn to threaten. Leao cuts inside and fires goalwards. Livakovic beats it away as far as Otavio, whose attempt is deflected over the top. The red and white chequered shirts deal with the corner.
14 mins: Modric and Kovacic are starting to weave some nice patterns now, pushing Portugal back, Semedo slices a clearance wildly out for a corner. Modric's corner is cleared at the near post, Perisic gets a second attempt in, Jose Sa punches to the edge of the box and Baturina clatters off target.
8 mins: Joao Felix exchanges passes with Joao Neves but can't get enough purchase on his finish under pressure and Livakovic gathers.
3 mins: Mendes gets around the back and his cross deflects just over Neves. Portugal have started very much on the front foot. Meanwhile, John McGinn has given Scotland the lead against Poland.
Kickoff: 1st Half
We're underway in Split. Croatia being backed by the thundering din of a drum in the crowd. They have their fate in their own hands tonight. Can they get the job done?
5 mins before kickoff: Here come the teams. Anthems time and then we're good to go.
25 mins before kickoff: In Ronaldo's absence, it will be another of Portugal's Saudi Pro League stars who captains the Selecao. A career CV boasting Benfica, Inter Milan, Valencia, Juventus, Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Barcelona certainly means Joao Cancelo does not lack for elite credentials. A wing-back role should also the 30-year-old to demonstrate his lavish skill set.
45 mins before kickoff: Josko Gvardiol went viral in unwanted fashion after Scotland youngster Ben Doak sent him for a hotdog in Glasgow. The Manchester City defender has been speaking before this one.
We didn’t expect such an outcome in the match against Scotland, but that’s football. Now we have to move forward and be ready in Split. Everything is in our hands, we have to be fully prepared for the match against Portugal.
1 hr 15 mins before kickoff: The teams are in and there are plenty of changes for Portugal as expected. Joao Felix and Rafael Leao get the chance to impress in attack. Croatia have the experienced midfield two of captain Luka Modric and Mateo Kovacic who will look to dictate things, while Roberto Martinez will hope the combination of Vitinha, Joao Neves and Otavio leaves them out-gunned. It looks like both teams are matching one another up with three centre-backs.
1 hr 45 mins before kickoff. Hello and welcome to The Sporting News' live coverage of Croatia vs. Portugal in the UEFA Nations League. Portugal, who won the inaugural edition on home soil in 2019, are already through to the knockout stages and Croatia only need a point to join them.
Croatia vs. Portugal kick off time
This UEFA Nations League match kicks off in Split at 8:45 p.m. local time.
Here's how that time translates across some of the major territories:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| USA | Mon, Nov 18 | 2:45 p.m. ET |
| Canada | Mon, Nov 18 | 2:45 p.m. ET |
| UK | Mon, Nov 18 | 7:45 p.m. GMT |
| Australia | Tue, Nov 19 | 6:45 a.m. AEDT |
| India | Tue, Nov 19 | 1:15 a.m. IST |
Croatia vs. Portugal lineups, expected starting 11, team news
Croatia boss Zlatko Dalic has made changes to his starting team following a shock 1-0 loss away in Scotland last week as Aston Villa captain John McGinn netted a late winner.
Petar Sucic misses out through suspension, after being sent off in Glasgow, while veteran wideman Ivan Perisic returns to the starting line up.
Captain and Real Madrid playmaker Luka Modric completed 90 minutes against Scotland but starts once again in central midfield alongside Mateo Kovacic.
Croatia (3-4-3, right to left): Livakovic (GK) — Sutalo, Caleta-Car, Gvardiol — Perisic, Modric, Kovacic, Sosa — Kramaric, Matanovic, Baturina
Full squad:
Goalkeepers: Dominic, Kotarsi, Domink Livakovic, Nediljko Labrovic, Ivica Ivusic.
Defenders: Marin Pongracic, Josko Gvardiol, Duje Caltea-Car, Josip Sutalo, Borna Sosa.
Midfielders: Nikolo Moro, Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic, Nikola Vlasic, Mario Pasalic, Martin Baturina, Luka Sucic.
Forwards: Ivan Perisic, Andrej Kramaric, Marco Pasalic, Mislav Orsic, Marko Pjaca, Igor Matanovic, Ante Budimir.
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With top spot in the group already wrapped up, Martinez has confirmed his call to release four player from the Portugal squad, including captain Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ronaldo has headed back to Al Nassr, with Martinez looking to try out new players, as Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes and Pedro Neto return early for Premier League duty.
Joao Felix and Vitinha are among elevated to a starting role following the 5-1win over Poland.
Portugal (3-5-2, right to left): Jose Sa (GK) — Semedo, Araujo, Veiga — Cancelo, J. Neves, Vitinha, Otavio, Mendes — Joao Felix, Leao
Full squad:
Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa, Jose Sa, Rui Silva,
Defenders: Nelson Semedo, Tomas Araujo, Antonio Silva, Diogo Dalot, Renato Veiga, Nuno Tavares, Nuno Mendes, Joao Cancelo, Tiago Djalo.
Midfielders: Samu Costa, Joao Neves, Otavio, Vitinha.
Forwards: Francisco Trincao, Joao Felix, Rafael Leao, Francisco Conceicao, Fabio Silva, Geovany Quenda.
Croatia vs. Portugal live stream, TV channel
Here's how to watch this UEFA Nations League match across selected areas of the world's major regions:
| Region | TV | Streaming |
| USA | Fox Sports 2 | Fubo, ViX, Fox Sports App |
| Canada | — | DAZN |
| UK | — | Viaplay YouTube |
| Australia | — | Optus Sport |
| India | — | Sony LIV, JioTV |
