Modric reigned while Ronaldo got bored. The Portuguese team has a problem before Euro 2024
Anatoly Romanov June 8, 2024, 22:02 Moscow time Audio version: Your browser does not support the audio element.
Martínez’s team lost at home to Croatia.
The Portuguese team lost at home to Croatia a week before the start of the Euro Cup.
Cristiano Ronaldo missed Portugal’s friendly against Finland for a short holiday after a busy season in Saudi Arabia, where he broke all sorts of scoring records but won nothing. The 39-year-old forward returned to the national team for the friendly against Croatia. The forward started this game on the bench.
Before the opening whistle, the entire stadium sang the Portuguese anthem, including not only the home team’s players, but also their Spanish coach, Roberto Martínez. And then the Portuguese tried to “sing” on the field from the first minutes of the game. The winners of Euro 2016 took the ball and seized the territorial advantage. Portugal had a very strong qualifying round for Euro 2024, becoming the only team that won all the group matches (10 wins with a goal difference of 36:2), and wanted to dominate even in the meeting with the strong Croatia . When he had possession, defender Pagliña stayed behind with the centre-backs, while full-backs Dalo and Mendes went up as high as possible.
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But neither from the edges nor from the center did the locals manage to get the ball effectively into the women’s area. But the Croatians completed their first counterattack with a goal. However, not without the help of a judge. German referee Osmers awarded a controversial penalty when Kovacic fell in the Portuguese area after contact with Vitinha. It seemed that the Manchester City midfielder fell alone and not due to a foul. One way or another, Modric converted the penalty. His low shot into the corner to his left was unstoppable.
With the score 0:1, the Portuguese, who had more possession of the ball, constantly failed quick counterattacks. The locals tried to recover the high ball, but Martínez’s team had notable gaps in the lines. The Croatians ran very well and their director Modric, 38, delighted the fans with his mobility and creative movements. At half-time, Portugal was outshot by almost half: 6:11 (on goal: 0:3)! But he was lucky that the Croatians did not take advantage of the scoring chances (Mayer forgave, Budimir, Guardiol) three times.
During the break, Martínez made four changes at once. Most likely, everything was planned, but everything seemed as if the coach removed the extras and strengthened the game. Two new players of the Portuguese national team immediately organized a goal. Right back Semedo made a powerful leap forward and cut out a pass to the goalkeeper, and striker Jota scored one of the simplest goals of his career. The home team’s first shot on goal turned out to be an assist. Croatian centre-backs Pongracic and Shutalo did not perform well. They did not create an offside position and let their opponents go.
Zlatko Dalic immediately made a triple substitution, sending Modric to the break. Even the Portuguese fans applauded the Real Madrid midfielder. The changes on the field seemed to be a signal for goal attacks. As soon as the teams resumed play, the Croatian team scored. Pasalic, who had just appeared on the field, shot on the rebound and Budimir finished the ball off the crossbar. The forward avoided offside thanks to the deep position of the local defender.
The Croatians took the lead again, but the second half was not like the first. The Portuguese team had a very strong period, during which they created several chances. It’s a miracle he didn’t score. There was some light magic from goalkeeper Livakovic. The home team looked for their forwards with crosses, but without Ronaldo there was no one who could jump higher than all the ladies and gain the air. Cristiano himself was bored on the bench. He apparently will play in three days against Ireland.
The Portuguese defeated the Croatians in these 45 minutes by 10:5 (on goal by 4:4). But in the end the visitors had the best chance when substitute Sučić pounced one by one. Goalkeeper Costa saved the ball with his foot. Martínez’s team has an unexpected problem before Euro 2024. In the fourth consecutive friendly match, Portugal concedes two goals.
