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Portugal will kick off their 2024-25 UEFA Nations League campaign on Thursday, September 5, against a formidable Croatia side at the Estadio da Luz in Lisbon.
This clash sees two of the tournament's most competitive teams, with Portugal having won the inaugural edition in 2019 and Croatia finishing as runners-up in 2023.
Both teams will be eager to start their campaigns with a win, especially after disappointing Euro 2024 outings. Portugal will look to capitalize on home advantage, while Croatia aims to prove they can compete with Europe's best despite recent struggles.
Portugal Seeks Redemption | Home Win = 1.58
Portugal comes into this match after a mixed Euro 2024 campaign, where they exited in the quarter-finals after a penalty shootout loss to France. Despite their talent-rich squad, consistency has been an issue for Roberto Martinez’s side, highlighted by their shock 2-0 defeat to Georgia in their final group game of the competition.
Martinez, who has called up Cristiano Ronaldo yet again, will be keen to see his team return to winning ways. The Portuguese squad has undergone some changes, with the introduction of young talents like Geovany Quenda, Renato Veiga, and Tiago Santos.
These fresh faces will be eager to make their mark, alongside veterans like Ronaldo, who continues to be a key figure in the team. Portugal’s home record and the attacking prowess of players like Ronaldo, Leao, and Bernado, will be crucial in breaking down a resilient Croatian defense.
Croatia Aims to Bounce Back | Away Win = 6.14
Croatia, on the other hand, also suffered disappointment at Euro 2024, failing to advance past the group stage. Zlatko Dalic’s men managed only two points from their three games, a far cry from their recent success, including a third-place finish at the 2022 World Cup and a runner-up spot in the 2023 Nations League.
Despite this, Croatia remains a formidable side, with experienced players like Luka Modric and Ivan Perisic still at the helm. The Croatians will be without key players Marcelo Brozovic and Domagoj Vida, both of whom have retired from international duty, leaving gaps in their squad.
Injuries to Lovro Majer and Josip Stanisic further complicates Dalic's plans, but the team’s resilience and tactical discipline should not be underestimated. Croatia will look to their experienced core to guide them through a challenging away fixture.
Key Players & Team News:
For Portugal, the focus will be on Cristiano Ronaldo, who is in search of his 131st international goal. The team will also rely on the midfield creativity of Bruno Fernandes and the defensive solidity provided by Ruben Dias and Joao Cancelo. The inclusion of young players like Quenda and Santos adds a dynamic element to the squad.
Croatia, though short-handed, still boasts a wealth of experience. Luka Modric, Ivan Perisic, and Mateo Kovacic are expected to lead the charge, while younger talents like Petar Sucic may be called upon to fill the gaps left by injuries.
Match Stats & Betting Odds | Draw = 4.28
Portugal and Croatia have a history of closely contested matches, with only one of their last six encounters being decided by more than a single goal. | Specials Market: Home/Away & Over 2.5 = 1.97
In their most recent Nations League meetings, Portugal secured a 3-2 and 4-1 victory, but Croatia avenged this loss with a 2-1 win in a friendly before Euro 2024, meaning there have been over 2.5 goals in their last three (3) meetings. | Main Market: Over 2.5 = 1.86
Both teams have scored in all the last four encounters between Portugal and Croatia in all competitions (2-1, 2-3, 4-1, 1-1). | Main Market: GG/NG (Yes) = 1.96
You can follow and bet on the UEFA Nations League game, Portugal vs Croatia, on MSport here:
