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An extra time goal from Ricardo Quaresma has seen Portugal move through to the final eight at Euro 2016 where they will face Poland.
Final score
Croatia 0
Portugal 1
The knockout stages of Euro 2016 continue from Lens, as Group D winners Croatia meet Group F third-placers Portugal. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary on Sunday morning at 5am AEST.
The challenge doesn’t get easier for Croatia, despite what the theoretical method of the knockout format suggests. When it was announced that the Group C winners could meet a third place team, Croatia would not have had Portugal in mind.
So fresh from a stirring come-from-behind win against defending champions Spain, Vatreni now have to repeat the dose against another daunting challenge, even if Portugal’s form doesn’t match their hype.
What has driven coach Ante Cacic’s progress has undoubtedly been his supreme midfield, which will once again be relied to drive Croatia’s progress against Portugal.
While Ivan Perisic was the winner against Spain, the duo of Ivan Rakitic and Luka Modric is where Croatia’s impetus lies, and also the pinpoint of how Portugal can nullify their threat.
Cacic has also bore reliance on Nikola Kalinic ahead of the more fancied Mario Mandzukic, signifying the Fiorentina man’s greater suitability to the 4-3-3 system that Cacic prefers.
Croatia are yet to miss the influence of Dejan Lovren during their first three games, but against a side that has the single greatest forward threat in the game, defence could be where Croatia is undone.
Talking about Portugal’s scoring prowess is only theoretical so far this tournament – the Euros have yet to see them truly make a mark yet.
Three draws from three games is Portugal’s output sp far – hardly a marker worthy of further progression, but they benefit due to the generous allowances given to the third-placed finishers in this tournament.
Cristiano Ronaldo is obviously Portugal’s epicenter, and he was at the fore again to rescue A Selecao against Hungary, and seal their spot in the Round of 16.
Portugal need far more from a team that has so far been underdone by far less storied opponents in their group. It could be against a more established side where the stakes are raised that Portugal belatedly arrive as a tournament-wide threat.
Portugal’s first challenge will be in a defensive capacity, where the ageless Ricardo Carvalho and Pepe have to work alongside their defensive screen William Carvalho in nullifying Croatia’s Rakitic and Modric.
That will duly allow the likes of Joao Moutinho and Joao Mario to work higher on the pitch to supplement Ronaldo and Nani.
Coach Fernando Santos’ only major decision lies in whether Ronaldo and Nani will act as a front two, or whether a main striker in Eder is deployed, allowing the other two more freedom to roam around the park.
Given form, Croatia are favourites to enter the quarter-finals. But Portugal’s progression, despite their very unimpressive formline, makes for a difficult proposition where Portugal may rise to the occasion.
Join The Roar for live scores and commentary on Sunday morning at 5am AEST.
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