Dalic’s team won the game thanks to goals from Modric and Budimir
Croatia in a bright friendly match they beat away Portugal in preparation for European Championship 2024 – 2:1.
Already in the opening, the guests took the lead: Mateo Kovacic earned a penalty, and 38-year-old Luka Modric converted it. Quite confidently, the Checkers brought the half to a victorious end, but immediately after the break the Lusitanians picked up the pace and quickly came back. The goal was scored by fresh players: Diogo Jota finished off Nelson Semedo’s cross.
The Croats responded by scoring quickly and visually simply. Mario Pasalic shook the crossbar with a powerful blow, and Ante Budimir was accurate in finishing. In the remaining time, Portugal had the ball and had chances to level the score, but Croatia was no less sharp on the counterattack. The hosts missed their last chance in stoppage time – Dominik Livakovic made a mistake on the way out, but immediately corrected himself by taking Ruben Dias’ shot.
Roberto Martinez’s team has one more sparring left before the start of Euro 2024 – against Ireland on June 11. At the continental championship itself, in Group F, Portugal will compete with the Czech Republic, Turkey and Georgia.
The Croats played their last friendly match before the European Championships. Zlatko Dalic’s team will play their first Euro match on June 15 against Spain in Berlin, followed by a match against Albania in Hamburg on June 19 and a meeting with Italy in Leipzig on June 24.
- Friendly match
Portugal – Croatia — 1:2 (0:1)
Goals: Jota, 48 – Modric, 8, pen., Budimir, 56
Source: Sportarena

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