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.
Professor Rosseforp
Guest
I think Ronaldo had been saving himself -- he barely raised a sweat, whilst all around him players were sweating bucketloads. That's probably his assigned job, to just hang around and take the one opportunity that comes up, which he did. He barely touched the ball, but genius that he is, he certainly made use of that one effort. But any player who had done as little as he did in this game should be able to run less than 100 metres in a pretty decent time. I must say I was surprised by his strike, which was not up to his usual standard, and would have expected him to score, but the rebound from the goalkeeper allowed a nice header for Quaresma.
asa
Guest
Very possible. Portugal have a lucky road to the Final, avoiding Spain, Germany, Italy and France along the way. They just need to beat Poland now, then either Wales, Hungary or Belgium and they are in the Final. This system with some third placed teams making the finals is a bit of a lottery. Portugal was probably in the weakest of all groups and finished third. Italy was in one of the strongest groups, finished first and now faces Spain, then Germany and then probably France.
asa
Guest
But that run from Ronaldo after 116 mins! He starts the counter attack, runs 70 meters passed everyone else with ease...what an athlete.
SVB
Guest
Portugal might go on to do a Italy and win this tournament.
Punter
Guest
Lets not forget who won the ball 80 metres away on Portugal's goal, both Ronaldo & Quaresma, before haring down the field. By the way that was a great save by the keeper that unfortunately dropped to Quaresma.
pete4
Guest
Portugal defend for 116 mins then luck out to pinch it in the end. You can see why they are ranked no. 8 in the world
Punter
Guest
Portugal wins ugly!!!! YES!!!!!! For 3 games they dominated & drew, today they played ugly & won!!!! I'm happy.
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
Sorry Stevo - had to get the post out ASAP, and not really looking at the caps lock. Let it demonstrate my absolute relief that something of interest finally happened.
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
FULLTIME: Croatia 0-1 Portugal Thanks to those who braved the Sunday morning chills (if you're in Sydney at least) to watch this, and even more kudos to those who stayed up until minute 116 - you were finally rewarded with a few minutes of chaos that made the contest come to life. I'll be back tonight to give you France versus Republic of Ireland - itself a tasty encounter. Join me at 10.45pm tonight AEST. From Lens though, it has finished Croatia 0-1 Portugal, and Portugal have qualified to the quarter-finals to play Poland on Friday morning. Good morning to all of you! FULLTIME: Croatia 0-1 Portugal
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
FULLTIME: Croatia 0-1 Portugal Portugal go through, and Ricardo Quaresma is the defining factor of a largely forgettable evening in Lens, save for the mayhem of the last 10 minutes, where the counterattacks were brisk, and then the glut of chances at Croatia's feet went to waste! The centre back Domagoj Vida was the main culprit, with three chances, two very presentable went begging! Due to that, Croatia make an undignified exit from Euro 2016, while Portugal notch their first win of the tournament, and are through to play Poland in the quarter-finals in Marseille on Friday morning! FULLTIME: Croatia 0-1 Portugal
Stevo
Roar Rookie
The Croats only have themselves to blame for putting in a low energy, lack lustre performance. How did it come to this with so much talent on the pitch?
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'120+1: Two minutes added on. Portugal need simply survive - where they needed a result, they've got one, almost... Croatia free kick, near the left corner flag. Hearts in mouths for Vatreni. Subasic is up. Do or die now - it's still around, as Subasic stays up. Vida again misses! This one's harder, as it requires a first-time shot with a swinging left foot that goes across goal and out! The jig is nearly up for Croatia! IT IS DOWN AND OUT FOR CROATIA, AND PORTUGAL PROGRESS!
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'119: Well, there you go. Croatia have minutes, literally now going into seconds to find an equaliser. They will be begging for penalties now, and they have paid for their wastage of a host of chances. Suddenly, Pjaca has a lovely run down the right inside the bo, and POrtugal are careful not to overcommit. He does get a shove in the back, but it's a corner. Last chance saloon for Croatia, and they make the final change. Kramaric on for Corluka. SUBSTITUTION (CROATIA) OFF: 5.Corluka ON: 9. Kramaric Croatia 0-1 Portugal
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Takes your CAPS off
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
IT FINALLY COMES! IT'S MESSY, BUT WHO CARES? AFTER A HOST OF CHANCES AT THE OTHER END, PORTUGAL BREAK AT SPEED, LEAD BY SANCHES. HE PASSES TO NANI, WHOSE CROSS FINDS RONALDO, WHO GOES FOR THE SHOT HIMSELF THAT SUBASIC DEFLECTS, BUT LEAVES THE GOAL OPEN FOR QUARESMA TO HAVE THE SIMPLEST OF TAP-INS! PORTUGAL HAVE MINUTES TO SURVIVE! CROATIA CRUSHED! Croatia 0-1 Portugal
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Somebody scored!
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'114: Can't say this game is reaching its crescendo, given it has barely reached intense. But two misses from Vida, coupled with some presentable opportunities for Portugal have meant little to no substantial work for either keeper. And that is a measure of how poor the finishing and shooting has been, along with the passing. Cross from Brozovic aimed for Kalinic, but Pepe is ever the leader in defence for Portugal. Then on the left, Perisic has a superb short cross that Kalinic can't get to, and then in the ensuing play, Perisic's shot is off the post! GOAL - PORTUGAL (QUARESMA) Croatia 0-1 Portugal
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'113: Corner for Croatia, and Vida heads over! Second time this game that Croatia's central defender has space to kill, and second time he can't keep the header down! It's a great corner from Brozovic finding Vida at the far post, but if Croatia end up exiting tonight, they will look back on those two missed headers from Vida. Croatia 0-0 Portugal
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'111: Nani tries the spectacular with the bicycle kick that is miscued. Then Croatia get in downfield, dispossessed then by Pepe. Suddenly, it's become quite end-to-end. Are both teams loosening the strings? Strange time to start leaving yourselves defensively unstable. Croatia 0-0 Portugal
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'109: Uncomfortable moments for Croatia, as Ronaldo and Nani exchange passes around the penalty area, and it's a decisive clearance from Srna that relieves them. Here is Croatia's change, as the less-than-impressive Rakitic is replaced by Pjaca. SUBSTITUTION (CROATIA) OFF: 7. Rakitic ON: 20. Pjaca Croatia 0-0 Portugal