Portugal vs Croatia
There will be few more appealing International Friendly match-ups than this between now and the start of Euro 2024.
In what could easily be billed as Cristiano Ronaldo vs Luka Modric, two former club teammates, the truth actually is somewhat different.
Because whole both players will undoubtedly have roles to play as they lead their nations for what will surely be their major international swansongs this summer, much focus will actually be on the teammates who have been inspired by their leaders, now aged 39 and 38 respectively.
Talking Points
On Tuesday evening, Portugal were actually without their captain who is resting before reporting for duty on Friday ahead of what will be his sixth European Championship.
As a result, manager Roberto Martínez fielded a highly changed squad in their contest with Finland which they dominated from the start.
Bruno Fernandes came off the bench to score twice, all this after Rúben Dias had given the hosts the lead which was extended by Diogo Jota in a 4-2 win.
They now face an ageing but always dangerous Croatia team, as well as the Republic of Ireland, bidding for more International Friendly 2024 highlights before beginning their Euro 2024 campaign on June 18 against Czech Republic in Group F.
They will also take on Turkey and Georgia as they go in search of a second European title, which would be the perfect ending to the career of the player who has scored the most goals in tournament history, in a list that features many legends of the game who have defined an era of football.
Their opponents on Saturday secured third place at Qatar 2022, winning admirers the world over, but there is now a suggestion they are past their peak.
That may seem harsh, after all they even reached last year’s Nations League final, only losing to Spain on penalties, so still have the pedigree, led by Modric who has been playing for the national team for 18 years now (nearly as long as Ronaldo), collecting well over 170 caps.
In Josko Gvardiol and Modric, Croatia have some top class talent.
There’s also Dominik Livakovic, a hero at the last World Cup, securing a place in the knockout stages with his wonder saves against Belgium before dominating the last 16 shootout against Japan and driving Brazil crazy in the quarter-finals.
Ivan Perisic’s influence over the years has only been second to Modric’s and, even though he’s coming back from a major injury at 35, his importance for the team is still key, whether as a winger or (possibly) full-back.
On the flip side, it is hard to believe that Croatia have never won a knockout round game at a European Championship.
If that sounds odd, given that they always seem to be punching above their weight, then how about this: the last (and only) time they’ve beaten anyone in 90 minutes after the group stage at any major tournament was 26 years ago in France (Romania and Germany).
In Qatar they even reached the semi-finals after winning only one game before extra time or penalties – against Canada – and not outplaying any of their opponents in any of the other four matches.
I think this summer will be when “Father Time” finally catches up with them, whereas Portugal have more of a nucleus at their peak.
History
Given the impressive form of these two nations over the 21st century, especially as they are smaller than many of their footballing counterparts, it may surprise you to learn that Croatia have never beaten Portugal.
In fact, they have only one drawn once in their seven meetings with six Portuguese victories.
The most important of which have come in the European Championships, including their very first meeting at the group stages in 1996 when Luis Figo, Joao Pinto, and Domingos scored the goals in a 3-0 win in Nottingham.
They also met at Euro 2016 in the last 16 when two teams packed with outstanding talent failed to live up to their pedigree.
It is thought to have been the first game in the tournament’s history when neither side mustered a shot on target in the 90 minutes.
However, on the night that Nani made his 100th appearance for his country, Portugal reached the quarter-finals of a tournament they would go onto triumph in, courtesy of a Ricardo Quaresma goal in the 117th minute.
The most recent meeting was in the UEFA Nations League in Split in November 2020 when players who have all plied their trade in the Premier League traded goals.
Dias’ second half double, including a last-minute winner, sealed a 3-2 victory for Portugal with Joao Felix getting the other.
Mateo Kovacic, now a teammate of Dias at Manchester City, netted both for Croatia.
Betting Tip
Portugal or Croatia then? It’s actually not as a close a match-up with the SBOTOP International Friendly 2024 betting odds as you’d expect.
Perhaps that is because the Croatians are thought to have peaked even before they secured a third placed finish at the last World Cup 18 months ago.
Ronaldo’s charges can be backed 1X2 @ 1.67 or Asian Handicap -0.75 @ 1.96. More appealing odds await if you expect them to lead at the break, such as First Half 1X2 @ 2.42 and First Half Asian Handicap -0.25 @ 1.96.
Croatia, or should I call them Modric’s Marvels, are on offer 1X2 @ 4.05, Asian Handicap +0.75 @ 1.80, First Half 1X2 @ 4.47 or First Half Asian Handicap +0.25 @ 1.80.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT))
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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