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The League of Nations. Group A3
Porto. “Dragau”
Portugal 4-1 Croatia
Goals: Cancellou 41, Jota 58, Felish 70, Andre Silva 90 + 4 – Petkovic 90 + 1
Portugal: Anthony López, Cancello, Pepe, Díaz, Guerreiro, Danilo Pereira, Moutinho (Oliveira 82), Bernardo Silva (Trinkau 78), Fernandes, Jota, Felish (Andre Silva 88)
Croatia: Livakovic, Jedvaj, Vida, Lovren, Barisic, Kovacic, Pasalic (Brozovic 61), Vlasic, Brekalo (Perisic 61), Rebic, Kramaric (Petkovic 74)
Warnings: Jedvaj 61, Barisic 71
Portugal and Croatia made it to Euro 2020, but they passed 2019 indistinctly. Both have yet to wait for the generational change. The former were left without the injured Cristiano Ronaldo, the latter without Modric and Rakitic. The expectations of their reunion weren’t high. And yet, even before the game, there was a noticeable difference in mood. The champions of Europe and the League of Nations spoke constantly of pride and desire to protect the trophies. And the runners-up in the world looked mentally tired. All of this manifested.
Both coaches spoke primarily of compactness and caution. And so the game began. At first, the guests had even more of the ball, Vlašić immediately reviewed the debutant of the official matches of the Portuguese team Lopes from afar. However, within minutes of the 15th, thanks to the defenders on the flanks, the triangles in the semicircle in front of Livakovich’s penalty area and the weak midfield of his team, the hosts began to hold on to the rival. They won the first half in shots on goal with a score of 15: 2.
Dominic had to concede 4-5 goals. He saved after dislodging and hitting the right-back Cansela, finishing off the left-back Guerreiro from the first tier. Felish bounced, Jota headed, Guerreiro hit the frame from a distance. Pepe stopped a brilliant double stop after a corner kick. So Kansel’s magnificent shot on the nine from 20 meters after another change was absolutely logical. Even if it took place in a little calmer minutes.
The second part started with the same flank breaks from the hosts. Right in the center, the guests defended more clearly, because there were no chances. However, another rookie from the “start” in the official Jota games has not made his way from the left wing to the goalkeeper’s line. Croatian captain Vida did not have time to cover up the blow. Only then did Zlatko Dalic deign to release Eurocup finalists Brozovic and Perisic on the field, who received rest. But it was too late. Felish eliminated all the questions from a distance.
Croatia lost the first match of the previous Nations League draw to Spain with a score of 0: 6. If it weren’t for Livakovich and the stands, they would be equally disgraced in Porto. Following the resounding success at the 2018 World Cup, it raises many questions and serious concerns. And Portugal is really ready to defend all their titles. With and without Ronaldo.
