Portugal v Croatia live - latest as Budimir, Modric fire visitors ahead

PORTUGAL FLAT AS CROATIA SHOW RESOLVE

Portugal's Euro 2024 preparations were firmly tested as Roberto Martinez's side fell to a 2-1 defeat against a resolute Croatia in Lisbon.

Portugal, who could be considered among the favourites to win the tournament in Germany, were guilty of a flat first-half performance, as they fell a goal behind through Luka Modric's penalty on eight minutes.

The hosts struggled to provide any real attacking impetus - despite enjoying much of the possession - as Croatia looked dangerous on the break with the pace of Josko Gvardiol from left-back key to their forays forward.

It looked as though Martinez's half-time team talk and four changes would aid Portugal to a second-half comeback, as subsitute Diogo Jota fired home an equaliser three minutes after the break. However, Croatia soon regained a foothold and restored their lead through Ante Budimir.

And it was the visitors who looked most likely to score again in the tie, with 21-year-old Luka Sucic denied by a great Diogo Costa save after an exquisite, one-touch passing exchange with Bruno Petkovic.

Martinez turned to his bench to look for an effective game-changer, but opted to leave Cristiano Ronaldo sidelined throughout the friendly encounter. The 39-year-old also did not feature against Finland on Tuesday, but has the chance to gain pre-Euros minutes in Portugal's final friendly against Ireland in three days' time.

Croatia's attentions now turn to the tournament in Germany, with their opener against Spain next Saturday.

FULL-TIME: PORTUGAL 1-2 CROATIA

All-in-all, despite a 10-15 minute resurgence, a pretty poor performance from the hosts. And they'll be looking to keep such abject performances behind them when they arrive in Germany next week.

For Croatia, in their final friendly ahead of the tournament, they will feel optimistic despite a strong group.

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LIVAKOVIC SAVES CROATIA LATE ON

You always feel there will be one late chance, and that just fell to Dias. He drilled an effort towards goal from close-range but Livakovic was equal to it.

THREE MINUTES TO BE ADDED ON

Croatia are managing the game well, and Portugal have reverted to largely what we saw in the first half. Feeding off scraps.

Just three minutes will be added on.

SUCIC CLOSE TO WRAPPING THINGS UP

A fantastic, one-touch exchange between Petkovic and Sucic ends with the latter being slotted through on goal with just Costa to beat.

His low effort is very well-saved by the Portuguese 'keeper, to keep Portugal in the game.

PERISIC THREATENING FROM WIDE

Perisic often comes alive in a Croatia shirt, and he's looking threatening again in Lisbon.

The 35-year-old flashes a fierce effort wide.

PORTUGAL SOMEHOW DON'T LEVEL

Such a better tempo to this game now, with both sides looking to trade blows. But Portugal are unfortunate to not be ahead.

Vitinha's deflected long-range effort is well-parried by Livakovic. Silva looks to capitalise from yards out but his effort is also sent behind via a deflection.

From the corner, Cancelo expertly picks out the on-rushing Dias, but the defender could only send his header into the side netting.

Mad moments, and plenty of action as we head into the final 20 minutes.

GOALSCORER BUDIMIR MAKES WAY

Petkovic enters the fray, a change up top for the visitors.

FERNANDES INCHES FROM LEVELLING

A low, driven effort from outside the ball flies a whisker wide of the left post. So close to levelling the game there.

FABULOUS CHANCE FOR CANCELO

Leao skilfully sets Cancelo away in behind the Croatia back-line. He has to open his angle, but he takes it way too central and it allows the recovering defenders to make up ground and stifle his effort away.

57'

CROATIA NOW RING THE CHANGES

Three subs for the visitors now. Modric the key one here, surely now making sure he's primed for his side's opener against Spain in a week's time. The Real Madrid gets a warm reception from many in the Estadio Nacional

Perisic replaces Kramaric, Pasalic on for Majer, Sucic enters in place of Modric.

48'

46'

CROATIA BRACED FOR AN EXCITING TOURNAMENT?

Croatia sit in that happy medium, where they are never tipped to win silverware at international tournaments, but certainly possess enough quality to make a deep run into competitions.

The 2018 World Cup finalists look like they could well be in their last major international tournament with Modric leading the squad as captain. His presence, in so many aspects, is so crucial - and it is hard to imagine a Croatian side without him as the linchpin.

He has orchestrated much of the good work so far, alongside grabbing the game's only goal. Gvardiol has injected a real impetus from the left, and it does feel the likes of Kramaric and Budimir aren't quite on the same wavelength right now. If they were, Croatia would be further ahead.

The approach to the second half, from both sides, will make for interesting viewing.

CAUSE FOR CONCERN FOR PORTUGAL?

It is hard to know exactly how reflective this friendly will actually be for Portugal's current state until the tournament kicks off in Germany. However, Martinez will be far from pleased with his side's first half.

They have had plenty of possession, but put it to no good use. Croatia have been quicker, more incisive, more accurate, and their lead should have been extended beyond the solitary penalty strike.

Ramos and Felix have been anonymous in attack. Fernandes has been more noticeable in his own final third than anywhere else on the pitch.

There is still plenty of game-changing quality on the bench for Portugal, namely: Leao, Jota, and Ronaldo.

Martinez is surely still working out his best XI. But based off that evidence, it won't be the XI that started this match.

HALF-TIME: PORTUGAL 0-1 CROATIA

A decent Portugal move ends with Fernandes firing wide, and that rounds off the first half.

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