Portugal’s UEFA Nations League campaign got off to a winning start after defeating Croatia 2-1 at Estádio da Luz.
The Seleção got off to a fast start in Lisbon and took the lead in the 8th minute. Bruno Fernandes found Diogo Dalot in the box, the right-back holding off Borna Sosa and firing through Dominik Livaković.
Cristiano Ronaldo doubled the advantage in the 34th minute, getting onto the end of a pinpoint cross from Nuno Mendes and volleying past Livaković.
Croatia reduced the deficit four minutes before the break when Borna Sosa steered an Andrej Kramarić cross into the danger area, Dalot’s outstretched leg diverting the ball past Diogo Costa.
Roberto Martínez made two substitutions at the break and switched to a back three. The second half failed to produce any goals, Ronaldo heavily involved before coming off to a standing ovation.
Portugoal's Matthew Marshall reports from Estádio da Luz.
Dalot scores early
Diogo Dalot was busy early on, replicating João Cancelo’s role by making the extra man in midfield where Vitinha was sitting behind Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva.
Rafael Leão’s cross fell to Fernandes who saw his shot saved by Dominik Livaković. Fernandes was involved in the opening goal in the 8th minute, a clever ball to Dalot who held off Borna Sosa and squeezed the ball through Livaković’s legs.
Fernandes was at the heart of another chance from a Croatia corner, releasing Ronaldo who was narrowly beaten to the ball by a busy Livaković.
Luka Modrić fired a warning shot in the 14th minute after the dangerous Josip Gvardiol got forward, the defender then sending a shot of his own straight at Diogo Costa.
Crisitiano Ronaldo tested Livaković at the near post after nice work from Fernandes and Leão before Diogo Costa was finally called into action. Andrej Kramarić dragged his effort wide and then fired through traffic, Costa punching the ball away with a strong left hand.
Ronaldo makes it 900
Ronaldo had another milestone to reach and would not be denied as he doubled Portugal's advantage in the 34th minute. A perfect Nuno Mendes cross fell to the striker who volleyed home from close range, his trademark celebration sacrificed as the emotion took over and he kneeled on the ground next to the corner flag.
Croatia took just seven minutes to reduce the deficit. Modrić released Kramarić, the striker getting to the byline with his cross steered back into the danger area by Sosa, Dalot unlucky to divert the ball past Costa.
The Seleção went close to restoring their two goal advantage before the break. Pedro Neto made an interception in his own half and went on a long run forward, his shot taking a slight touch off Gvardiol which saw the ball hit the bar and bounce away from danger.
Martínez shakes it up
Roberto Martínez made two changes at the break with Leão and Neto replaced by Nélson Semedo and João Neves. Dalot slotted into the right side of a back three as Martínez tweaked the formation. Zlatko Dalić made one change in central defence with Marin Pongračić making way for Duje Ćaleta-Car.
Mendes created another chance for Ronaldo which was deflected wide by Ćaleta-Car. CR7 then returned the favour, Mendes forcing a save from Livaković.
The ineffective Martin Baturina was replaced by Igor Matanović, the big striker moving up front with Kramarić drifting out to the left-wing.
It's the Cristiano Ronaldo show
Dalot got into the game once again after a long ball to Fernandes, Bernardo Silva eventually presenting a chance for Ronaldo who forced another save from Livaković. Dalot then made a great challenge to deny Mario Pašalić who had got onto Kristijan Jakić’s long ball.
Ronaldo was providing some great link up play from the left flank, a well timed through ball to Mendes and a backheel to Fernandes that got the crowd out of their slumber. Luka Modrić was booked after protesting Matanović’s foul on Vitinha which gave Ronaldo a free kick opportunity, the 39-year-old firing into the wall.
Croatia began to sustain some pressure, Matanović volleying wide before both managers made more changes. Modrić and Jakić were replaced by Petar Sučić and Ivan Perišić, Gonçalo Inácio making way for António Silva.
Ronaldo continued to play the supporting role after a long run down the right wing, sending the ball to Semedo who saw his shot deflected over the bar by Šutalo.
Diogo Jota replaced Ronaldo and Pedro Gonçalves came on for an injured Vitinha with added time approaching. Croatia couldn’t find an equaliser, Kramarić shooting into the side netting and Matanović heading Perišić’s cross wide.
CR7 takes centre stage
Cristiano Ronaldo was heavily involved in Portugal’s first match since the penalty shootout defeat to France in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals. Much of the negativity, disrespect and hate that predominantly prevails in the online world and constantly propagated by click bait journalists and fake fans was not replicated inside Estádio da Luz, a clear distinction.
Um momento emocionante, para ti e para nós, @Cristiano 🥹 #PartilhaAPaixão pic.twitter.com/YXBt3wHeVe
— Canal 11 (@Canal_11Oficial) September 6, 2024
Ronaldo produced a strong performance, went close to a second goal, made a number of key passes and his 900th career goal was well deserved, another incredible milestone. With a few more seasons in Saudi Arabia and more matches for the Seleção, he will be targeting 1000.
Tribute for Pepe
There was a tribute for Pepe before kick off, the 41-year-old presented with a jersey to commemorate 141 caps for Portugal. He had a fantastic career and will be missed by Seleção supporters.
His emotion was the basis for much of his excellence on the field, but also some embarrasing moments that won't be forgotten. His outlash against Getafe's Javier Casquero while playing for Real Madrid in 2009 was shocking and resulted in a 10-match ban.
Obrigado, P3pe 💫🇵🇹 #PartilhaAPaixão pic.twitter.com/ARAEWZjleh
— Portugal (@selecaoportugal) September 5, 2024
Pepe headbutted Thomas Müller and was sent off early in Portugal's opening match at the 2014 World Cup, taking the bait from the German who would go on to score a hat-trick in a 4-0 win that was a huge blow to the Seleção's chances in Brazil.
Those incidents will likely be forgotten and his incredible service and will to win will be the lasting memories. I won't forget Pepe desperately trying to help his side find a late equaliser in the 1-0 quarter-final defeat to Morocco at the 2022 World Cup, nursing a busted arm and going close with the last chance of the game.
In many ways Pepe repesents a tougher generation who did it the hard way, compared to many in the current generation who are soft, pampered, and have it too easy.
Martínez shakes it up once again
Roberto Martínez made an interesting tweak to his starting side, the first time we have seen Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva start alongside two dedicated wingers.
Pedro Neto began the game opposite Rafael Leão, the Chelsea winger going desperately close to scoring on the stroke of half-time.
João Palhinha and Rúben Neves didn't feature with João Neves and Pedro Gonçalves the midfielders used off the bench.
Martínez changed the formation at half-time, switching from a bak four to a back three but it failed to nullify Croatia who had plenty of the ball and multiple chances to equalise.
Pote returns
Pedro Gonçalves replaced Vitinha late on, the Sporting Clube de Portugal star earning his third cap.
Pote hasn’t been seen in a Seleção shirt in over three years, last appearing in June 2021 in a friendly against Israel, ironically at Estádio da Luz. His latest call up was well deserved and it's good to see him back.
Line Up
Portugal: Diogo Costa - Diogo Dalot, Rúben Dias, Gonçalo Inácio (António Silva 77’), Nuno Mendes - Bernardo Silva, Vitinha (Pedro Gonçalves 90’), Bruno Fernandes - Pedro Neto (Nélson Semedo 46’), Cristiano Ronaldo (Diogo Jota 88’), Rafael Leão (João Neves 46’)
Unused substitutes: José Sá, Rui Silva, Renato Veiga, João Palhinha, Rúben Neves, Trincão, João Félix
Coach: Roberto Martínez
Goals:
[1-0] Diogo Dalot 8’
[2-0] Cristiano Ronaldo 34’
[2-1] Diogo Dalot OG 41’
