MADRID, 8 Jun. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Croatian team beat Portugal (1-2) this Saturday in the last friendly in preparation for the Euro 2024 in Germany, in which they will debut on the 15th against Spain.
In Lisbon, at the Estádio Nacional do Jamor, the Croatian team showed that it remains a fierce and very competitive rival, which will undoubtedly present a tough continental debut for Luis de la Fuente’s team, within a Group B that they share with Italy and Albania.
A week after that match against Spain, Croatia took the lead through Luka Modric’s penalty in the eighth minute. The European champion with Real Madrid led his team for almost an hour of the match, leaving the field after Diogo Jota’s 1-1 scoreline.
Portugal, without Cristiano Ronaldo who still has one more friendly against Ireland since the Portuguese debut in Germany on the 18th, did not find a way to come back against a serious Croatia that made it 1-2 through Osasuna forward Ante Budimir in 56′.
The Portuguese coach, the Spanish Roberto Martínez, did more tests, without finding a good version of Joao Félix or Joao Cancelo, much more dangerous Gvardiol in the Croats. One last serious test from Zlatko Dalic’s team, a Croatia that, after his latest exploits in the World Cup, wants to go far in the EURO.