Perišić and Pepe on the scoresheet
All level between as Croatia visits Portugal
06.09.2018.
Photo by: Drago Sopta/HNS
In its first match following the 2018 FIFA World Cup Final in Russia, Croatia faced European champions Portugal and secured a 1:1 draw.
PORTUGAL - CROATIA 1:1 (1:1)
International friendly.
Estadio Algarve, Faro.
Referee: J. Estrada Fernandez (Spain)
Goals: 0:1 - Perišić (18'), 1:1 - Pepe (32')
Cautions: Perišić (30'), Kovačić (41'), Carvalho (72')
Portugal: Rui Patricio, Rui, Dias, Pepe, Cancelo, Carvalho (81' Oliveira), Neves (86' Sanches), Pizzi (61' Fernandes), Bruma (68' Lopes), Bernardo (46' Martins), Andre Silva (89' Gedson). Head coach: F: Santos.
Croatia: L. Kalinić, Barišić, Mitrović, Vida (35' Jedvaj), Vrsaljko (46' Milić), Badelj, Kovačić, Modrić (55' Pašalić), Perišić (63' Čop), Pjaca (72' Rog), Livaja (57' Santini). Head coach: Z. Dalić.
Foto: Drago Sopta/HNS
The silver-winning Vatreni, under the leadership of head coach Zlatko Dalić, accepted new challenges at Portugal, in an international friendly against a team that managed to beat Croatia in all four previous meetings, without conceding a goal.
In the opening minutes, Croatia goalkeeper Kalinić provided three quality interventions, but Kovačić and Badelj soon responded with dangerous efforts. On 18 minutes, it was Perišić who smashed home a great volley to break the tradition and secured Croatia's lead.
Foto: Drago Sopta/HNS
However, with half an hour played, Vida was injured and stretchered off minutes later - and in the meantime Pizzi crossed for Portugal captain Pepe, whose header is on target.
As the second half resumed, Perišić tried a header from close range, but it was Portugal who took the initiative and was searching for the second, game-winning goal.
Foto: Drago Sopta/HNS
The hosts created several opportunites in front of Kalinić, yet Croatia's defence stood firm, blocking shots, with the Portuguese shooting wide on some occasions. On 77 minutes, Portugal hit the woodwoork as Croatia's debutant Milić deflected a cross into a post.
Both managers used all of their six substitutions and tested as many players as possible as Portugal and Croatia await UEFA Nations League debuts - Portugal against Italy, and Croatia at Spain, on 11 September.
Foto: Drago Sopta/HNS
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