Croatia won 1-2 Portugal in a friendly match that was played in Portuguese territory and that served for both teams as preparation for the Euro 2024 which starts next week.
Very early, just 7 minutes in, Luka modricput his team ahead after a controversial penalty that took the left side of goalkeeper Diego Costa and thus made it 0-1.
The Croatian team could have increased the score in the first half, but the match went to the locker room with that score.
The Portuguese team came out connected in the second half and as soon as the second half started they tied the game. A great team play ended in a perfect pass from Nelson Semedo to Diogo Jota that he only had to push it to score the tie.
But when Portugal played best, Croatia scored 1-2. A spectacular finish Pasalic volley forced a great save from Diogo Costabut after hitting the ball on the crossbar it fell to Before Budimir, Osasuna forward, who made no mistake and headed 1-2.
Croatia had also won in its first friendly in preparation for the Euro Cup against Macedonia for 3-0.
After the Croats, Portugal will now face off on Tuesday against Ireland in Aveiro. Then the Euro Cup will arrive, where it will premiere on June 18 against Czech Republic as part of group F, in which they are also Türkiye and Georgia.
Croatia, for its part, is in the nicknamed ‘group of death’, B, along with Spain, Italy and Albaniaa, and will debut on June 15 against the Spanish.
