PORTUGAL - CROATIA 4:1 (1:0)
UEFA Nations League, Group A3.
Estadio do Dragao, Porto.
Referee: D. Massa (Italy)
Goals: 1:0 - Joao Cancelo (41'), 2:0 - Diogo Jota (58'), 3:0 - Joao Felix (70'), 3:1 - Petković (90+1'), 4:1 - Andre Silva (90+5')
Cautions: Jedvaj (60'), Barišić (71')
Portugal: Lopes, Guerreiro, Ruben Dias, Pepe, Joao Cancelo, Bruno Fernandes, Danilo, Joao Moutinho (81' Sergio Oliveira), Bernardo Silva (78' Trincao), Diogo Jota, Joao Felix (87' Andre Silva). Head coach: F. Santos.
Croatia: Livaković, Barišić, Vida, Lovren, Jedvaj, Kovačić, Pašalić (61' Brozović), Rebić, Vlašić, Brekalo (61' Perišić), Kramarić (74' Petković). Head coach: Z. Dalić.
foto: Drago Sopta/HNS
Croatia national football team embarked on a new UEFA Nations League top-tier adventure by visiting current European chamions and UEFA Nations League holders Portugal.
The hosts created plenty of opportunities, but excellent Croatia's goalie Livaković - with the help of his posts - managed to keep the match goalless up until 41st minute, when Joao Cancelo hits a beautiful strike as Portugal takes the lead.
foto: Drago Sopta/HNS
The Vatreni have had just the Vlašić and Kramarić efforts to show for, while Diogo Jota's low strike soon after the restart doubled Portugal's lead.
On 70 minutes, Joao Felix scored Portugal's third, and it was substitute Petković - following Rebić's assist - who cut Croatia's deficit to two (3:1).
foto: Drago Sopta/HNS
In the dying seconds, Andre Silva found the net to make it 4:1, and confirms that Croatia continues the streak without a win against the Portuguese.
In the other Group A3 first round encounter, France secured an away win at Sweden (1:0). World champions France host Croatia on Tuesday, at Stade de France.
UEFA Nations League, Group A3:
1. Portugal 3
2. France 3
3. Sweden 0
4. Croatia 0
foto: Drago Sopta/HNS
